Dorothy Edna Harrelson, much loved sister and friend to many, age 86, passed away at her home on January 24, 2018. She was born in Calhoun County, Mississippi on February 16, 1931 to Edith Stewart Harrelson and Jesse Howard Harrelson. Dorothy cherished her role as older sister to Joan.

Dorothy moved to the Mississippi State Campus with her family on the employment by Mississippi State of her parents. She enrolled in Starkville Public Schools and graduated from Starkville High School in 1948. Dorothy remained close to classmates through the years and enjoyed serving as the coordinator for their class reunions beginning with their 50th year and going through their 67th year.

After High School, Dorothy’s love for the field of Accounting led her to earn a degree in Business from State College where she was an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA).

Her interests included the Nocturne Music Club which complimented her talent as a pianist. She was also active in the ZTA alumna and MSU Women's Club. In recent years she and Joan were active in a special music club made up of people from around the state who came together to sing, eat and fellowship. In years gone by, she and her sister were avid travelers having flown to various plays and musicals, traveled by bus with John Robert Arnold on 17 trips around the country, plus attended the Miss Mississippi and the Miss America pageants for a number of years.

Her love for Mississippi State only grew stronger throughout her career as an accountant within the Comptroller Department where she began her career June 1, 1951. Dorothy served as Accounts Payable/Travel Manager where she earned the respect of her peers and MSU leadership team up to her retirement on
January 31, 1994.

Dorothy’s professional career was complimented by the great love and enjoyment that she and Joan shared for all MSU Bulldog sports. Even when circumstances prevented them from routinely attending sporting events, Dorothy would make sure that we knew she was cheering the teams on while ringing her cowbell from home.

Dorothy’s love of family, friends, and MSU was exceeded only by her love of the Lord. Her long-term commitment to First Baptist Church, included service as the Youth Training Union Director, Eighth Grade Girls Sunday School Director, and later as an Adult Sunday School teacher. Dorothy was active as long as she was physically able with outreach ministry that blessed the lives of so many. It was truly Dorothy's goal to live a Christ centered life of service to others; recently sharing with friends that she “had tried her best” to fulfill the mission God had given to her.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister, Joan, a multitude of cousins including Ken Harrelson (Janice) of West Point, MS and many special friends that she considered family.

The family wishes to thank Carol Jones and Q T Butler for their care during the past year.

Service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 2:00PM at Welch Funeral Home chapel. Visitation will precede the service at 1:00 at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 106 East Lampkin Street, Starkville, MS 39759.