Doris Hammons Mott

Services for Doris Hammons Mott, 81, of Middleton, will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Middleton Church of Christ.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 am, Saturday, at the church.  The burial will follow in the Reaves Cemetery near Middleton.  Mrs. Mott departed this life on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

She was born in Saulsbury, TN on Friday, August 14, 1942, the daughter of the late Lee Roy Hammons and Essilene Sweat Hammons.  Upon completion of her secondary education, she enrolled in Freed-Hardeman College and received her bachelor's degree from Blue Mountain College.  Doris went on to complete her master’s degree in education from Memphis State University.

On Friday, March 23, 1962, she married Mr. Huey P. Mott, and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage until his passing on Friday, June 5, 2020.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Jo Ann Frazier.

Mrs. Mott was a schoolteacher spanning 31 years with the Hardeman County School System, primarily at Middleton Elementary, where she taught fifth and sixth grades.  She strived to be the best teacher possible and excelled in her job, reaching the highest level on the career ladder.  She was a beloved teacher, and many former students considered her the best teacher they ever had.

She had previously worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office, first meeting her husband there.  Together, they served on the Board of Directors of the Hardeman County Farm Bureau as Community Chairs for eight years.  She was a longtime member of the Middleton Church of Christ.  Some of her joys were teaching children in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and helping lead the Tuesday Ladies Bible Study at the church for many years.

She was an active member of her community, as well.  Mrs. Mott was part of the Middleton Women’s Club for over 50 years and the Red Hat Society.  Doris was very active in athletics as a tennis player, coach of the Middleton High School Tennis Team, and various girls’ softball teams.  She was an avid tennis player, and throughout her adult life she played in various tennis tournaments, winning many trophies and playing on teams in Memphis, Jackson, and Corinth.  She played in Senior Olympics tennis tournaments throughout the country.  She was a passionate supporter of Memphis Tigers basketball and Atlanta Braves baseball.

As the oldest of ten children, Doris was a positive influence and very supportive of her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She modeled to them how to raise a family and be a good Christian, and they molded their lives after her.  She was an optimistic and upbeat person who always looked on the bright side of things.

In her leisure time, she especially loved to travel, whether it was annual trips to Hot Springs, AR, the beach where she enjoyed the sand and sun, or overseas where her journeys took her to Italy, Greece, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, and England, among other places.

She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Denton (Boyette) of Toone; two sons, Robbie Mott (Sheree) of Middleton, and Timothy Mott of Oakland; five sisters, Joyce Cumbo (Pat) of Chesapeake, VA, Evelyn Ghibaudy of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Kathryn Arwood (Steve) of Olive Branch, MS, Martha McDonald (Tommy) of Jackson, TN, and Sandra Duke (Michael) of Bartlett, TN; three brothers, Harold Hammons (Marty) of Greer, SC, Jimmy Hammons (Katrina) of Saulsbury, and Michael Hammons (Laura) of Germantown, TN; seven grandchildren, Evan Mott (Danielle) of Middleton, Lindsey Denton of Bolivar, Drew Denton (Savana) of Toone, Emily Wilkey (Clay) of Morristown, TN, Natalie Daniel (Ryan) of Bolivar, Blake Denton (Autum) of Bolivar, and Sarah Alysse Mott of Murfreesboro, TN; and six great-grandchildren, Caitley, Dallas and Chance Mott, Beau and Davis Denton, and Miles Daniel.

Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to the following: Huey P. Mott Scholarship at UT Martin or the Parkinson's Foundation (www.apdaparkinson.org/donate).