Doris "Dottie" Tinsley

Doris Wilson Tinsley (Dottie) passed away at Care Partners Solace Hospice in Asheville on June 30, 2024, at the age of 97. She was born in Ware Shoals, South Carolina on November 8, 1926. The daughter of William (Bill) Wilson and Sue Henderson Wilson, Dottie lived in Brevard in her early life and then in her retirement years. In between she lived in Florida and Arizona with her husband Jim Bob Tinsley, who predeceased her. Dottie had one sister, Kathleen Wilson Crooks and brother in law Robert D. Crooks who also predeceased her. 

Dottie was a school principal, and 40 year teacher of several grades, but most loved being a kindergarten teacher. Upon retirement, she moved back to Brevard where she was an avid volunteer at the Chamber of Commerce, and the Rape Crisis Center. In earlier years she travelled the southwest United States in an RV with husband Bob and one of their many poodles attending country western events, awards ceremonies, performing, and rubbing shoulders with Roy Rogers. More recently, she was most known for helping to establish and run the Jim Bob Tinsley Museum in Brevard which later became the Transylvania Heritage Museum, and for being a premier clog dancer and instructor until about the age of 90. 

Family members who will miss her dearly are her niece Lisa Crooks Rasmussen and husband Palle, her great niece Stephanie Rasmussen Forte and husband Joseph, her great great niece and nephews Lucas, Penelope and Gregory Forte, her nephew Marc Crooks and great nephews Orrin Crooks and Nicholaus (Stacey) Crooks and families in Michigan, her niece Camillia Ellenberger and husband Tim, and grandnephews Joe Ellenberger, Tom Ellenberger, Mark Ellenberger and Tim Ellenberger and her six great grand nieces and nephews. Also, niece Sandra, who shared her same birthday and celebrated with her every year. She was also predeceased a few weeks earlier by her very beloved constant poodle/companion Topaz. 

The family would like to thank Care Partners Hospice for their invaluable care, support and advise, and her caring long time friends Kathy Booth, Lois Peach, Ric Lanning and Gwen McDaniel as well as many other friends who gave her great joy. Lastly, Grisel and Luis Juarez, her long time loyal care givers, and their three small boys, who became her adopted family. 

Dottie’s funeral will be held at the Brevard Davidson River Presbyterian Church in Brevard on Saturday, July 20 at 2:00 PM. Reception to follow. In memory of Dottie, ladies and gents are welcome to come adorned wearing their favorite hat. Also, be prepared for some country western songs and a sing along! 

Memorial donations can be made to the Rape Crisis Center in Brevard and/or the Transylvania Heritage Museum of Brevard.