Vivian Louise Williams Dorough

July 26, 2015

Vivian Louise Williams Dorough, age 92, of Russellville, Alabama, slipped peacefully from this earth while it was yet night, Sunday morning, July 26, 2015, her children by her side.

Louise began her journey in Birmingham, Alabama, as the sixth of eight children born to Rigney Jack and Jeanette Grant Williams. A member of the National Honor Society and tennis player, she graduated early from Ensley High School in 1941 and began working as a bookkeeper at Tennessee Coal and Iron, now U.S. Steel, in Birmingham. She rose to head her department, then, in 1964, moved with her family to Russellville where she continued her bookkeeping career with the Russellville City School System.  Louise was professionally known for her perfect books, never being a penny out of balance when millions of dollars were involved, and she received accolades from the State of Alabama for her accounting procedures and records.

Beginning her married life in 1951, Mother quietly served as the foundation of the home she made with her husband of 57 years, V.W. (“Pop”) Dorough.  Together they raised three children, Marti Wayland and husband, Bill, Byron Dorough and wife, Sharon of Signal Mountain, Tenn., and Grant Dorough and wife, Melody, of Indian Trail, N.C., who will always remember their mother’s strength, grace, and love.  While working full-time both in her career and her home, she served as a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher and nursery worker, women’s circle leader, and concession stand committee chair for the Russellville Golden Tiger Band, supporting her children in every endeavor.  She was recognized as Woman of the Year by Russellville First United Methodist Church for her years of faithful service in all areas of the church.

After she retired, Grandmother spent many summers expertly navigating Pop and their camper over most of North America, to Florida, to Alaska, to Nova Scotia and back.  She and Pop hosted Big Band dances in Russellville reminiscent of the USO dances Mother had attended to support the troops when she was a young adult.  Acutely aware of the needs of neighbors and friends, she kept hams in the freezer and softened butter in the mixer for her exceptional pound cakes, so they could be baked at a moment’s notice in times of grief or illness.   She gave her days to her grandchildren, who will remember their Grandmother’s steadfast attention and care, Emmie Treadwell and husband, Ty, Jessica Haluska and husband, Aaron, Mary Kate Wayland, Kristine Dorough, and Addie Dorough.

Finally, GeeGee spent the last six years of her journey living with her daughter’s family in Signal Mountain, Tenn., and smiling at the wonder of her great-grandchildren, James Dorough, and Frank and Mamie Treadwell, even the youngest of whom we believe will always remember GeeGee’s worn but loving hands—or at least the words to “The Good Ship Lollipop” that GeeGee and Mamie recently sang in duet, GeeGee from her bed with Mamie dancing at the foot.

Louise is also survived by her brother, Allan Williams of Hartselle, Alabama, and many younger friends with whom she shared her life.

There will be a graveside service at Franklin Memory Gardens Wednesday, July 29, at 11:00 a.m.  For all who attend and those unable to be at the gravesite, a celebration of her life will be held at 11:45 a.m. in the Family Ministry Center of Russellville First United Methodist Church.