Dorothy M. Best's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Dorothy M. (Sappington) Best, age 91 of Charleston, entered her Heavenly Home on Thursday, June 4, 2015 while at her Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehab residence. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at the Charleston Bible Church, 2605 University Drive in Charleston, with Pastor Nathan Best officiating. Burial will follow in the Thomas Lincoln (Shiloh) Cemetery located southwest of Charleston. It is requested that monetary donations in her honor be made to a charity of the donor's choice, or that you simply bless someone else in a simple act of kindness. Gifts may be left during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Dorothy and her twin brother, Donald, were born on December 15, 1923 in Terre Haute, IN to the late Coleman and Ethel (Hubbard) Sappington Rhodes. She married James V. Best on December 15, 1943 and together they celebrated 56 years of marriage and raised a family on their Pleasant Grove Township farm. He preceded her in death on August 16, 2000. She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Franklin, Raymond and Donald Sappington. She is survived by her children, John Best and wife Marian and Ron Best and wife Tina, all of Charleston, Gary Best of Ventura, CA, Brenda Stone and husband Chris of Lerna, IL and Barbara Robertson and husband Bill of rural Casey, IL; 12 grandchildren, Jim (Syndie) Best, Nathan (Rachel) Best, Joanna (Seth) White, Amy (Jeremy) Hannah, Bryce (Sharrie) Best, Kelly (Jonathan) Best-Hutti, Jeremy (Melissa) Stone, Matt (Jennifer) Stone, Jennifer Stone, Nathan (Kelly) Robertson, Stephanie (Scott) House, Adela (Matt) Music; and 17 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way. Dorothy worked at the Ettelbrick Shoe Company in Greenup as a teenager. After raising her children, she began a career in the health care field, working for several area nursing homes and later for Sarah Bush Lincoln Home Health Care. She took classes at Lake Land College and earned a certificate in Clownology. Dorothy was a member of Eastern Star and the Coles County Farm Bureau, and was a member of the Farmington Faith Builders Church and later of the Charleston Bible Church. First and foremost, Dorothy was a devoted Christian. She expressed her faith daily as she encouraged and uplifted everyone she encountered. Dorothy was genuine in her love and care for all people regardless of who they were or where they came from - it was her desire to make everyone feel special. She was blessed with a servant's heart for helping others and her generosity was unending - she touched the lives of many in such thoughtful, loving and positive ways. If there was a special occasion, Dorothy was there with her famous cinnamon rolls; she was the one offering comforting hugs to someone hurting; she was there making everyone feel loved. She was known as "Grandma Dorothy" to countless children that included her own grandchildren, Sunday School children she taught for at least 50 years, and Mrs. Hummel's fourth graders at Carl Sandburg School for many years. Dorothy loved life. She loved to laugh and to make others laugh. She liked to have fun and to create fun for everyone - friends and family never tired of spending time with her. She adored her dogs (always named Nipper) and her pet birds (always named Nicki). She also enjoyed the beauty of God's creation while tending her beautiful flower gardens, watching the birds, shelling on the beach, or while visiting and traveling to various destinations. Her life was enriched through many enduring friendships which she never took for granted. Dorothy was always devoted to her family and tenderly and lovingly cared for them. She will always be remembered as one whose life radiated the love of God in pure and simple ways.Click to view Dorothy's memorial video.
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