Minnie Lee Penland Dorn, 90, passed away on September 30, 2018. She was born February 8, 1928, in Marshall to the late James and Bessie Lee Penland and spent her childhood in their boarding house, The Balsam Tourist Home, where she first learned and perfected her culinary skills.
Educated in the Madison County Schools, she graduated from Marshall High School and was a hairdresser in her mother’s beauty salon for many years. She met and married Marion Dorn in 1951 and moved to Hendersonville where she continued to dress hair for several years and gift many people in the community with her delicious baked goods throughout her life. Cooking and enjoying time with her family were her greatest joys. Marion and Minnie Lee were members of First Baptist Church until she moved her letter to Mud Creek Baptist Church after his death.
Minnie Lee and Marion owned and operated Dorn’s Supermarket on Main Street, which later moved to Atha Plaza, as well as Dorn’s Men’s and Ladies’ Clothing Store. After closing the grocery store, they moved the clothing store across the street to the intersection of the Greenville and Spartanburg Highways where Walgreens is now located. The clothing store was destroyed by fire in 1982. Minnie Lee and Marion were married for 36 years until his death in 1987.
She is survived by four children: Haynes (and spouse Argyll), Audrey (and spouse Charlie), Dennis (and spouse Cindy), and Jeff (and spouse Christy); ten grandchildren (Traynham Dorn, Tasha Wright, Tai Dorn, Ashley Newcomer, Mariah Gibbs, Matthew Dorn, Andrew Dorn, Tiffany Dorn, Brandon Dorn and Sydney Dorn); five great-grandchildren (Hayley Oliver, Kobe Wright, Laila Wright, Brent Newcomer, and Caden Locklear); and other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandson, the late Brent James.
The funeral will be at Mud Creek Baptist Church at 1pm Wednesday, October 3rd with the Rev. Wally Shamburger officiating, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Greg Mathis. Burial will be immediately following in the family plot at Oakdale Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday night, October 2nd, from 6-8 pm at Mud Creek Baptist Church.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Pat Hart and the entire staff of Elizabeth House for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to The Elizabeth House, 581 South Allen Road, Flat Rock NC 28731.
Service
1:00 PM
Mud Creek Baptist Church - Directions
403 Rutledge Drive
Hendersonville, NC 28739
Burial
Visitation
6:00 PM
Mud Creek Baptist Church - Directions
403 Rutledge Drive
Hendersonville, NC 28739
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