Ray Edward Dotson

View Funeral WebcastRay Edward Dotson, died Saturday, November 10, 2018 at his residence on Danbury Drive. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Joe Macer and Randy Baxter officiating. Burial will follow in Morrow Cemetery with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Monday from 12:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be made to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, designated for children, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Hickman County, he was the last of twelve children born to the late George Dotson and the late Betty Tishie Dotson. He graduated from Hickman County High School and immediately left for the Navy. After serving in the Navy he joined the Tennessee National Guard where he retired in 1992 after 34 years of service. Ray was an active member of Southpoint Church of Christ in Hampshire for 38 years. He was a lifelong Mason. He was a kind, gentle man, and a wonderful father who loved and cherished his children. After retirement, he enjoyed raising his beef cattle for over 30 years on the family farm in Hampshire before moving to Columbia last year. Ray was a huge Vanderbilt University fan. Survivors include his wife, whom he married December 27, 1980, Mary Ann Blocker Dotson; children, Ricky Don Dotson; Sheila Ann (Nelson) Shields; John Ray Dotson; grandchildren, Rachel (JJ) Ailor; Brent Dotson; Chad (Amanda) Dotson; Kristen Dotson; five great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his all of his siblings. Active pallbearers will be Nelson Shields, JJ Ailor, Jim Dotson, Alvin Blocker, Rick Dunn, Ricky Dunn, Jimmy Copley, Bobby Copley, Brian Maxwell, Gene Ray Baxter, Matthew Macer, Zeb Macer, and Jonathan Macer. Honorary pallbearers include men of Southpoint Church of Christ, nieces and nephews. The family would like to express a special thanks to his caregivers Debbria English, Charlene Breece, and Hospice Compassus.