"Granny" Dorlene Willoughby

Dorotha Dorlene Byram was born in Belmont, Mississippi on April 21, 1938, to the late Claude Everette and Georgia Owens Byram. She was welcomed home by her older sister, Claudette. Following Dorlene, her younger siblings, Jetta and Joe completed the Byram family where they resided in Belmont, MS until they relocated to Savannah, TN in the 1940’s. 

Dorlene attended Central High School, and graduated in 1955, and there she met the love of her life, Richard Fay Willoughby. The two were united in marriage on July 21, 1956. They were married for 43 beautiful years before her beloved Fay passed away from a short battle with cancer in October of 1999. From this union, were blessings of four children; Donnie Fay Willoughby, who departed this life at 5 years of age; surviving children; son, Michael Joe Willoughby (Teresa) of Savannah, TN; daughter, Donna Lynn Willoughby Lutrell and husband Chris of Savannah, TN; daughter Andrea Dawn Willoughby Ackley and husband Jim of Savannah, TN. Grandchildren who survive are Shawn Willoughby and wife Rene, Paul Willoughby (Melissa and daughter, Jordan), Trevor Willoughby, Kristen Bomar and husband Jacob, Cassie Lutrell, Grant Alexander and wife Madison, Ben Ackley, Sam Ackley and wife Margaret, and Max Ackley and wife Kate. Great-grandchildren Bryceton and Mila Willoughby, Riley Willoughby, Kayleigh Grace and Emma Bomar, and expecting Vivi Louise Alexander. Others left to cherish her memory are sister-in-law, Nita Byram; double-first cousin Jean Ferrell, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and caretakers. 

Dorlene and Fay were active members of the Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 14 years when they were first married. Following that, they returned to Dorlene’s home church of First Baptist Church, Savannah where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, chaperoned youth trips and choir tours, sang in the choir, kept nursery, and was the church hostess. In 2002 she moved her membership to Mount Hermon Baptist Church where she remained active in the Young Adult Ministry, taught Sunday School, prayer ministry, and meal ministry teams.

Dorlene loved working with her friends at Ideal Flower Shoppe in Savannah for 18 years. She tied thousands of bows and made tons of boutonnieres and corsages over the years all the while keeping her coworkers laughing and entertained. She also worked as a sales associate at Home Décor & More, and Benchcraft Jewelry and as the Activities Director at Riverwick Assisted Living Facility, but her favorite job was being “Granny!” She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed anything they were involved in. Dorlene was adamant that she would be called “Grandmother” by all of her grandchildren, but her first grandchild, Kristen changed all of that when she named her “Granny” in 1984 and she has been Granny to everyone since that day.

Dorlene enjoyed home decorating, arranging flowers, shopping, reading, Southern Gospel music, and cooking for her family. Through the years, she enjoyed traveling, shopping, and going to coffee with her dear friends whom she lovingly called “The Girls.” She made many memories with them on trips to Pigeon Forge, Washington, D.C., Branson, the New England States, Mackinac Island, Hot Springs Arkansas, Texas, and Florida to name a few. 

On October 20, 2024, Dorlene was called to her heavenly home at the age of 86 years, 5 months, and 29 days. 

Dorlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fay; one son, Donnie; two sisters, Claudette Thomas, and Jetta Harrison; and one brother, Joe Byram.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to those who took excellent care of Granny over the past few years: HMC Home Health, Legacy Hospice, the nursing staff of HMC Heath and Rehabilitation Center, her doctor and friend, Dr. Kimberly Howerton, Sitters, Jackie Hughes and Kelly Surratt, and Riverwick Assisted Living. Granny loved you dearly and we are forever grateful. 

The family requests memorial donations be made to: Mount Hermon Baptist Church VBS or the Hardin County Cancer Society.