Dorothy Nell (Wilson) Hungate

Dorothy Nell Wilson Hungate Departed this life Sunday November 16th, 2014 at the age of 91 after an illness of several months. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Friday, November 21 at the Mudd-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green. A private graveside service will be held. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday at the Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church. 1200 S. Lindberg Blvd with Rev. Shelia Bouie-Sledge officiating. Dorothy was born November 11th, 1923 in Bowling Green, daughter of Kirby and Lena Dunbar Wilson. She attended Eagle Point and Edgewood elementary schools and Bowling Green High School, graduating in 1941. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill Hungate, April 13th, 1944 in Lebanon, PA where he was stationed in the army. Her family attended the Bowling Green Presbyterian church where she was baptized. She showed an early aptitude for music and was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice. She graduated from University of Missouri in 1945 and was a Member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She and Bill resided in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 1946 to 48 where she worked as program director for the YWCA and established the first integrated womens’ program. She taught school for many years in Troy, helping start the first kindergarten there. She was active in clubs including Carillon Music club, Anna Day Federated Womens’ Club, Congressional Wives’ Club, International Club, United Methodist Women and PEO. She participated in the Walk to Emmaus in Quincy, Illinois. She enjoyed singing in choir and performed as a soloist for church, civic clubs and Democratic party events. Though not enthusiastic about Bill’s entry into politics, she became an able and supportive political wife during Bill’s 12 years in congress, maintaining homes in both Troy and Alexandria, VA during his time in Congress and participating in many political events. She was very faithful in her support to her husband both during his time as a United States Congressman and as well as his time as a United States Federal District Court Judge. They returned to Missouri in 1976, living in Town and Country until Bill’s death in 2007. She was a member of Salem Methodist church in Ladue. In 2011 she moved to The Fountains in Ellisville. She was lovingly cared for at Brooking Park in Chesterfield from June of this year until her death. She enjoyed music, gardening, painting, playing bridge, following the Cardinals, and cooking. Her apple pies were legendary. “Dottie” was a loving Mother and Grandmother...a Christian in the truest sense of the word--kind, loving and charitable. She believed in justice and equality, and was a lifelong Democrat. She made friends easily, and her friends included members of all ages, races and creeds. She is survived by her son David (April) of Bethpage, TN, daughter Katie Wood (Branson) of Hannibal, Granddaughter Allison Wood(Adam Starkweather) of Brooklyn, NY, Grandson Bennett Wood (Karen) of Austin, TX, Grandson Noah Hungate (Libby Tollefson) of Murfreesboro, TN, and Grandson Matthew Hungate (Lisa) of Nashville, TN, honorary Grandson Mark Dickman of Las Vegas, NV, sister Marjorie (Tom) Russell of Bellbrook, OH; a niece, Susan (Dick) Chema, and nephews: Stephen Russell, Stan (Mie) Russell and Scott (Lori) Russell. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and mother and father in law. She was at peace during her final illness, saying “I’ve had a wonderful life. Sometimes death is a blessing.” Hers was a life well-lived. She will be missed by her many friends and loved ones, but her greatest wish would be for us not to look back in sadness, but to remember her with joy and to live as she did....with love, strength, courage and kindness. Memorials may be made to Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church in St. Louis or the donor’s choice.

Dorothy Nell (Wilson) Hungate

November 16, 2014