Dorothy C. England

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Dorothy Christine England of Columbus, Indiana. Dorothy passed away Tuesday, February 25th at Hospice of South Central Indiana at the age of 91. She was a cherished Grandmother, Mother, Sister, Aunt, and friend. Dorothy was born on January 21st, 1934, in Edmonton, Kentucky, to parents Henry and Jewel Knight. Dorothy married Henry “Tommy” England on September 8, 1951, and relocated to Columbus, Indiana, where Tommy served as a volunteer Fireman for the Clay Township Fire Department, and Dorothy volunteered countless hours with the Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, making meals and working at fundraising events. She was also a volunteer for many Red Cross Blood Drives. Dorothy loved serving the community she lived in and especially loved watching her family in the Fire Department’s parades. She was well known in her neighborhood and would look forward to passing out candy every Halloween to the neighborhood children. Each year, she would keep track of how many kids visited her door to make sure she always had enough candy to prepare for the next year. Dorothy worked for 10 years in the Food Service Department at Ramada Inn and many years working as a housekeeper. After retiring, she enjoyed working in her garden with her numerous flowers and watching her Indiana Pacers on TV. An avid Pacers fan, Dorothy loved talking all things Pacers with her family, “Boom Baby!”. Dorothy led an active life, and when not working in her flowers or watching sports, she was always ready to go somewhere. So much so, that she always kept a suitcase packed for when her sister Ruby stopped by with a travel idea, she would be ready to go. Dorothy also spent every Saturday with her daughters and often multiple granddaughters for their “Shopping Trip Saturday” and rarely missed a shopping trip. Spending time with her family was Dorothy’s greatest joy, and her family was blessed to go on many trips with Dorothy. Dorothy was beloved by her family but was also known as “Grandma Dorothy” to numerous other people who she considered as an extended part of her family. She was always ready with a warm hug, a listening ear, and an insistence that you have some candy from her candy bowl or something to drink when you stopped by to see her. No matter how long you had stayed to visit with her, you were always met with a “What’s your hurry?” when you went to leave. She could never get enough of visiting with her family and friends whom she adored. Though she has left this world, her kind spirit lives on in the hearts of her family and all who were blessed to know her. We will miss her dearly but find comfort in knowing she is now embraced by eternal peace. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 31 years, Henry “Tommy” England; Sister, Ruby Hammond, and brothers Henry Lee Knight, Jr. and Bobby Knight. Survivors include her brother Jess Knight of Seymour, Indiana. Daughters Wanda (William) Pace, Peggy (Joe) Pace, both of Columbus, Indiana, and son Wayne (Becky) England of Taylorsville, Indiana. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Vanessa (Keith) Meredith, Kevin (Tammy) Pace, Michael (Hannah) Pace, Dennis (Lynn) Pace, Amanda (Daniel) Gorbett, Aaron England, 14 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Sunday, 3/2 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, as well as from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Monday, 3/3 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home in Columbus, Indiana. The funeral service will take place on Monday, at the funeral home, beginning at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Garland Brook Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of South Central Indiana.