Tommie Lee Dotson

Deacon Tommie Lee Dotson, age 91, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. He resided on West Washington Street.

Tommie Lee Dotson was born on December 15, 1934, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to Norman Dotson and Dora Lee (Taylor) Dotson. On September 1, 1955. He united in holy matrimony with Gladys (Dockery) Dotson. Later that same year, the couple relocated to South Bend, Indiana, where they began building a new life together.
Deacon Dotson was a hardworking and driven man, known as a serial entrepreneur. He founded and operated several businesses, including a trucking company and Big D's Daycare, where he also proudly served as the daycare van driver. He later worked for AWP, from which he retired in 2016. A man of strong faith, Deacon Dotson was a longtime and faithful member of Sweet Home Baptist Church, where he served the Lord and his church family with dedication and humility. Deacon Tommie Lee Dotson will be remembered for his work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, faith, and devotion to family and community.
Deacon Tommie L. Dotson leaves to cherish his loving memory six daughters:
Linda Dockery, Norma Blackmon, Patricia Chapman, Linda Williams, Christine (Will) Dotson, and Rita Dotson; Five sons: Herbert Dotson, Raymond (Mary) Dotson, Dewange Dotson, Glenn Jose, and Tommie L. Dotson; Five grandchildren whom he raised:
Frederick Dotson, James Thorpe, LaPorsha Dotson, Devin Dotson, and Amarriona Dotson; Two sisters: Betty Taylor and Elnora Moser; Three brothers: Norman Dotson, Fredrick (Harriet) Dotson, and James (Teresa) Dotson; Two sisters-in-law: Betty Dotson and Oma Dotson. He also leaves behind a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great­grandchildren; his Best Friend Charles Blackmon, along with two devoted, longtime friends, Calvin Hoskins and James Allen, who will forever cherish his memory.

Deacon Tommie L. Dotson was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gladys Mae
Dotson; his parents, Norman Dotson and Dora Lee (Taylor) Dotson; one son Tommy Earl Dotson; one granddaughter, Ashley Starr and Paradice Dotson; two great­
granddaughters, Dalayia Scales and Miracle Dotson; five grandsons, Gregory Dockery, Tyeshon Dotson, Quentin Dotson, Charlin Fulce, Jarvis Redding and one great
grandson Mikel Anderson; three sisters, Anna Mae Wilson, Fannie Williams, and
Leedora Tripp; one brother, Ernest "T-Bone" Dotson; and one brother-in-law, Raymond Tripp.

A visitation for Tommie Lee will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11:00 am EST at Sweet Home Ministries, 410 South Taylor Street, South Bend, Indiana, 46601. Following the visitation, a celebration of Tommie Lee's extraordinary life will commence at 12:00 pm EST.