Dorothy Duncan

Heaven gained a sharp-tongued, big-hearted legend this week. Dorothy Autry Duncan — known to most as "Hot Dot," and known to her family as Mama, Memaw, MawMaw and occasionally "the boss" — passed peacefully on Monday, April 28th, with her daughter by her side. And in true Dorothy fashion, even her final exit was timed perfectly — no fuss, no frills, just family and love.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 1:00, at the Brownsville Funeral Home with Dr. Charles Pratt and Bro. Randy Kellough officiating.  Burial will follow at the Brownsville Memorial Gardens in Brownsville, TN.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM at the Brownsville Funeral Home.

Born on September 19th, 1946, to Aus and Louise Autry, Dorothy grew up in the Woodland Community, where sass was likely served with supper. She graduated from Haywood High School in 1965 and later married Bobby Neil Duncan. Together, they raised two children, Denny and Heather, and also helped raise Bobby’s son Dwayne.

Dorothy was a stay-at-home mom until she joined the school food service — not just to work, but to become a local celebrity. She didn’t just serve food; she served spunk with a side of extra hamburger patty (just for her favorites). She worked her way up to assistant manager in the Haywood County School Nutrition Program, where she earned the nickname “Hot Dot” — a name that somehow became more famous than any of her kids. Heather says her high school yearbook was basically one big fan letter to her mom. One student wrote, "We love your mom! Have a good summer!" Another just wrote, "Hot Dot forever."

After retirement (the first one), Dorothy took a “few months off” — which is to say, about five minutes — before jumping back in at Sugar Creek Retirement Center. There, she made fast friends with the residents and staff alike, bringing joy, laughter, and probably a few unsolicited opinions to the kitchen and beyond.

She eventually left to care for her beloved mother, proving that Dorothy’s loyalty wasn’t just a quality — it was a superpower. If she loved you, you knew it. And if she didn’t love you, well… you also probably knew it. She was quick to call you out, but quicker to stand up for you, especially if you were family. She’d fight a bear for the people she loved — but if you embarrassed her in public, she might give you the look that could freeze time.

Dorothy was most proud of her grandchildren — Logan, Taylor, and Braden — who she spoiled without apology and adored without condition. She celebrated their achievements like they were Olympic gold medals. Logan got the best of her — MeMaw was her ride-or-die, her safe place, and her biggest cheerleader. Taylor made her beam with pride, especially on Chuck E. Cheese outings and during school award ceremonies (which she treated like the Grammys). Braden, her baby boy, could do no wrong in her eyes. She thought he was perfect — and she told him so, often and loudly.

In 2018, a series of health issues slowly began to dim the spark in her body, but never in her spirit. By 2023, she moved to Bells Nursing Home, where even as her mind faltered, she always remembered her daughter. That was her final gift: no matter how foggy things became, she never forgot Heather.

Dorothy was tough. She was loud. She was hilarious. She was fiercely loyal and ferociously loving. She left behind a trail of notes hidden in envelopes marked "Heather, read this before you throw it away," proving once again that she was always planning, always caring, even from decades past. Some of the notes were about bills, others about insurance. One simply said, “I’m so sorry you’re having to do this.” That was her — thoughtful, even when it hurt.

She loved her childhood friends and continued to stay close to them throughout the years, she outlived some and now some will outlive her. But she always said how lucky she was because not everyone gets to have friends as close as she had. She was always up for a good time. And if you were lucky enough to know her well, you probably heard her laugh — the kind that made you laugh too, even if you didn’t know what was funny.

Dorothy is reunited now with her parents, Aus and Louise Autry; sister, Edna May; and the many family and friends she missed so dearly. Heaven better brace itself — because Hot Dot just arrived, and things are about to get a whole lot livelier.

She is survived by her children Denny Duncan (Marchelle), Heather Tinsley (Brad), and Dwayne Duncan (Stacey), and her beloved grandchildren Logan Drewanne Duncan, Taylor Autry Tinsley, and Samuel Braden Tinsley; her brothers, Dewayne Autry(Judy) and Glen Claburn, and an extended family she loved ferociously — even when they drove her crazy.

So, here’s to Dorothy. Mama. Memaw. MawMaw. Hot Dot. The woman who ruled the lunch line, the living room, and our hearts.

We love you. We’ll miss you. And we promise — no matter how many people sign our yearbooks — no one will ever be more popular than you.  All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.