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Dorothy (Dot) Louise Morris McMahan, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab. Born March 30, 1927 in Wolverine, Michigan, she was the daughter of William Monroe and Mary Louise Mull Morris. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James Robert McMahan, sisters, Josephine Shook, Marilyn Mizelle, brothers, William Morris, and Charles Morris.
Dorothy moved to Black Mountain when she was 4 years old and lived here for about 2 years until her home burned. Her family moved to Fairbanks, FL. There she attended a one room school with just one teacher for seven grades. Her dad was a beekeeper and became ill after too many bee stings. He contracted TB and was sent to Oteen, so the family moved back to Black Mountain when she was in 8th grade. Her father recovered and worked for Beacon Mfg. Co.
Dorothy graduated from Black Mountain High School in 1945 and was offered a job with the FBI in Washington, DC which she had to decline because her father didn’t want her that far away from home. She went to work at Beacon as a spinner for over 13 years. Then, she and her neighbor opened a day care center at West Gate Shopping Center in Asheville where she worked until it closed. She also worked for the American Heart Assoc., Welcome Neighbor, welcoming newcomers into the community and as the bookkeeper for Bob’s Electric, her husband’s business.
Dot was loved by all who knew her for her kind, gentle, and giving spirit and her occasional feistiness. She was devoted to her family and friends and gave of herself freely. It was evident how important her faith was and how much she loved her Lord and her church, Black Mountain First Baptist. She and her friend Dorsie Ford visited shut-ins weekly as their ministry through the church for more than 20 years. In earlier years she taught Sunday School and Acteens. After her first stroke in Aug, 2015, she relocated to Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab. Her minister at the time described her as “…… a Missionary on Wheels” because she spent hours “walking” her wheelchair room to room at the nursing home cheering others, visiting new arrivals and just spreading love and joy.
She was extremely talented in crocheting and shared her beautiful afghans with many. She lost count, but her partial records show that she made at least 605. She also crocheted beautiful snowflakes and other intricate works.
She is survived by her son; Robert Bruce McMahan and wife Rebecca of Black Mountain, grandsons; Robert Bryan McMahan and wife Ven of Phoenix, AZ, Shayne William McMahan of Black Mountain, great-grandson; Aldon Robert McMahan. She was also survived by her special niece and nephew, Kathy Sue Morris of Manassas, VA and Eddie Charles Morris of Black Mountain who she raised as her own children; and their children Evan, Carrie, Jessica, Angela and Susana and many nieces and nephews. She was the matriarch of the family and adored by all.
A memorial service celebration of her life will be held Friday, December 29 at Black Mountain First Baptist Church, 130 Montreat Road. Visitation begins at 11:00 and the service at 12:00.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Black Mountain First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 656, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Special thanks to all who cared for her at Mountain Ridge, and to Carepartners and McDowell Hospice.

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