Dorothy Jean McGhee

A shining star left this earth to join the stars in heaven.  Dorothy Jean Maples McGhee, “Dottie”, passed away on January 08, 2024 at Ft. Sanders in Knoxville.  Dottie was a self-proclaimed strong Appalachian Woman.  She worked hard to make a better life for her family.  Starting as an OR technician at Blount Memorial Hospital, Dottie advanced her career to RN and beyond as a nursing instructor.  Dottie always spoke her mind but was quick with a smile.  Her biggest joy in life was her family, her son, her grandchildren, and her band of sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Our hearts are heavy but her spirit lives on in all she loved. She was preceded in death by her mother, Georgia Sullivan Maples, and sisters Judy Maples and Debra Maples. Dottie was married to Ronald “Ronnie” McGhee and is survived by her son, Eric McGhee; sister, Brenda Frye; brothers, Dennis Phillips and Mike Maples; grandchildren, Riley Crain and Korbin McGhee; The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 with a Celebration of Dottie’s life to follow at 12:00 PM in the Smith Funeral Chapel.  The Interment will follow at 1:00 PM at the Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or to the Tunnels to Towers. Friends may call at their convenience to sign the register from 9:00 Am until 4:00 PM at Smith funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com