Lillian Dotson

On July 14, 1927, Lillian Cunningham was born in Cincinnati to the late George W. Cunningham and Ida Mae Cunningham (Travis). Although a former resident of Cincinnati, she had been residing in Columbus, OH for the last 19 years. It was there in her home, on September 13, 2024, that she quietly departed this life. As a child she was baptized and a member of Southern Baptist Church here in Cincinnati. She was preceded in death by her brother, George Cunningham, Jr.

A graduate of Woodward High School in 1945, she later went on to marry her high school sweetheart, the late Eugene B. Dotson, on August 9, 1947. Out of this 60 year union came six wonderful human beings. Lillian is also preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Hawkins, and sons, Kurt and Craig Dotson.

During her time as a wife and mother, Lillian earned her LPN license and spent most of her working years in the Emergency and Recovery Wings of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She retired from Children’s after 35 years in 1986. Lillian didn’t have many hobbies, but she enjoyed cooking, listening to jazz, and working word searches in her free time. She collected elephant statues, which she said brought good luck if they were gifted to you. What she enjoyed most of all was taking care of, spending time with, and traveling with her family. During the last two decades she enjoyed celebrating her birthdays on the west coast or in Las Vegas with family. She also enjoyed dining out with friends. When asked her secret to longevity; she attributed it to “black coffee, red wine, and dark chocolate”.

Lillian is survived by her two daughters, Cheryl (Russell) Betts of Columbus, OH and Kristy Dotson of Dayton, OH; one son, Keith Dotson (Tim) of Las Vegas, NV; five granddaughters, one grandson, four step-granddaughters, two great-granddaughters, one great grandson, and several other family members and friends.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Lillian Dotson, please visit our Tribute Store.