Doris (Dot) Lucille McCulloch

Doris (Dot) Lucille McCulloch, 82, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center of Charlotte, NC.Born May 12, 1927, in Sumter, SC, she was the daughter of the late Lewis C. McCulloch, Sr. and the late Edna Randall McCulloch. She was educated in the Sumter County Schools and spent her summers at the Kanuga Conference Center near Hendersonville, NC working on the staff as a sports counselor to the youth. She remained a life-long contributor to the Center. In 1952 she moved to Morganton, NC to become the secretary to Thomas R. Nichols, MD. In 1957 Dot became associated with Dr. Fletcher Nelson, as his Administrative Assistant, who was the Director of the Commission on Christian Higher Education for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Dot continued to work with Dr. Nelson in his position as District Superintendent and then as fund raising for the Divinity School at Duke University until he retired in 1968 at which time she started her own secretarial business which she operated until her recent illness. She became associated with the Burke County Board of Realtors and Multiple Listing Service at their inception in 1978. She helped to transition the Board of Realtors from 5 members to over 150 members before her retirement just over a year ago.Dot had a lifetime love of tennis. She not only played but gave lessons, served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Burke Tennis Club and organized many tournaments. An annual regional junior novice event was renamed The McCulloch-Naylor in honor of her tireless work in promoting tennis in Morganton. She was the Executive Director of the American Golf Association which organized and directed golf tournaments for seniors at numerous resorts throughout the United States in the early 70’s and 80’s.She was a life-long member of Grace Episcopal Church where she chaired the Missions and Outreach committee for over 20 years. She represented the church on the Board of Directors of the Burke United Christian Ministries; chaired the Angel Tree project, the Super Bowl of Caring, African Team Ministry; an active member of the Environmental Concerns Committee; a past member of the Vestry and an active member of the ECW where she chaired the United Thank Offering and many other projects.Surviving are one niece, Judy McCulloch Wilson (Brady) of Sumter, SC; two nephews, Roy Baker, Jr. (Connie) of Charleston, SC and Dr. Joseph M. McCulloch, Jr. PhD (Gail) of Shreveport, La.; three great-nieces,; three great-nephews, ; four great- great-nieces,; and five great-great-nephews; a goddaughter, Beth Carter of Anderson, SC and a godson, James Hogan of Lenoir, NC and a number of special friends.She was preceded in death by one sister, Marie M. Baker; and three brothers, Lewis C. McCulloch, Jr., Buford Randall McCulloch, and Joseph M. McCulloch, Sr.A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at Grace Episcopal Church with Father Bruce Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the church Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends after the service in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 303 S. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655, and Burke United Christian Ministries, 305 W. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655 or a charity of one’s choice.Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.