Dorothy Lineberger

GASTONIA - Dorothy Gelene Lineberger, 81, passed away March 11, 2014, at the Carriage Club Assisted Living in Charlotte.

She was a native of Gaston County, the oldest daughter of the late Abel Robinson and Katherine Rutledge Lineberger and best friend of her sis-ter, Helen Howard.

She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was born October 23, 1932, in Gastonia. She attended local schools and was a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne University as well as Appalachian State University. She received her undergraduate degrees in the education field having earned a Masters Degree in Media Science. She was a retired librarian after 40 years in the Gaston County school system. She started her career at the college level and continued down to the elementary level. She was a 4th generation member of Lutheran Chapel Evangelical Lutheran Church, having been baptized, confirmed, and been a faithful member all of her life until health did not permit her to be able to attend. She was very involved in church work, locally and on the state level with ADK and AAUW; she loved to play bridge, read, cross stitch, knit and crochet; she trav-eled to all 50 states and made international trips to Europe, Asia, Canada and Central America. She loved her nephews and their children as well as her sister.

Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Helen Lineberger Howard (Marshall) of Charlotte; nephews, Derek Smith (Tara, EJ) of Gasto-nia; Drew Smith(Jennifer) and children, Kelsey, Christopher, and Lillie Smith of Ft. Mill, S.C.; great-nephew, Justin Smith(Stephanie) and nephew Conlan and great-nieces, Nameya, Elodie and Farrah of Tampa, Fla.; also, cousins from the area and her college roommate, Helen Butner of Advance, NC, who had been like a sister to both Gelene and Helen.

A service to celebrate her life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Lutheran Chapel Evangelical Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. Michael Comer.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:50 p.m. in the Family Life Center of the church.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Lutheran Chapel Church, 702 North New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC; 28054 or the charity of choice.

Ward Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.