Dorothy "Dotty" Lester McCombs

Dorothy "Dotty" Lester McCombs, age 91, of Johnson City, Tennessee, died peacefully on Friday January 24, 2025.

Dotty was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia to George and Dorothy Burke. 

After graduating from high school, she worked as a switchboard operator for C&P Telephone Company in Big Stone Gap. 

Later, as a wife and mother, Dotty worked for many years for Memorial Hospital in Johnson City; Johnson City School System as a Title 1 Home Visitor; Northside Hospital, and Mountain States Health Alliance in Johnson City, as a receptionist, PBX operator, and then in patient accounts until her retirement. 

She will always be remembered for her unwavering faith, humor, and love for her family and friends. 

Along with her parents, Dotty is preceded in death by: brother, Bill Burke, sister, JoAnn Burke, husband, Bill Lester, daughter, Rebecca Lester, and husband, Donald McCombs. 

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Nancy) Lester and Gary (Shelley) Lester; five grandchildren, Laura Lester James, Torrey Lester, Michael Charles Lester, Lea Lester Jackson, and Jena Lester Wilcoxson; and eight great-grandchildren. 

She was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, Johnson City, Tennessee. 

The family is grateful to the staff and residents of Colonial Hill and Brookdale Senior Living of Johnson City, and William Clever, FNP, for their excellent care of their mother and grandmother. In her final days, she received attentive support from Lakebridge of Johnson City and Amedisys Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Appalachia Service Project, 4523 Bristol Highway Johnson City, Tennessee 37601, for flood relief.

The family will receive friends and family from 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm on Saturday February 8, 2025 at Morris-Baker Funeral Home.

 A private committal service will be held at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E Oakland Avenue Johnson City, Tennessee 37601, is honored to serve the family of Dotty McCombs. 423-282-1521.