Dorothy Dean (Layman) Mellen, of St. Albans, passed away peacefully at 6:39 PM October 31, 2005 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC after an extended illness.
Born in Hartford, TN on January 31, 1922, Mrs. Mellen was a graduate of Cocke County High School in Newport, TN and Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN and held a Masters Degree in education from Marshall University. She worked as a junior chemist for the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, TN and participated in Amateur Athletic Union basketball, tennis and bowling during and after World War II.
She touched the lives of many with her generosity, creativity and strength of character through her service as a girl scout leader, in her teaching of science and coaching of girl’s tennis and basketball at Hayes Junior High School from 1967 to 1984, and through her active involvement with Highlawn Baptist Church and the American Baptist Women’s Association after the family moved to St. Albans in 1949.
She and Gilbert Emery Mellen married in 1944 while both were working at Oakridge, TN. Gilbert predeceased her in 2000.
She is survived by their children, Deanne and husband, Bill Moore of King, NC, Gene and wife, Ann Mellen of Lansing, MI, Catherine LeGrand of Durham, NC; grandchildren, Erin Gray, Jennifer Moore and Christopher Mellen; step-grandchildren, Colon Moore, Julie Sedlacek and Robbi Puckett; sisters, Dollois Underwood of Sumter, SC, Donna Lewis of Newport, TN; six nephews.
The family wishes to express their immense gratitude to all of Dorothy’s friends in St. Albans, especially neighbors and members of her church, who helped her maintain a high level of independence for so many years.
The visitation will be held at Highlawn Baptist Church from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 3, and the funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, November 4 with Dr. Joe Hyde officiating. Entombment will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, W V. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Highlawn Baptist Church Building Fund, 2304 Jefferson Avenue, St. Albans, WV 25177.
Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek in charge of arrangements.