Dorothy Evelyn Bogart Fraley, age 88, of Lawrenceburg, TN, and formerly of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026. She was born on May 18, 1938, in Akron, OH, to the late George Rex and Bernice Evelyn Tucker Bogart.
Dorothy was a proud Navy wife to her husband, John David Fraley. Because of his duties as an air traffic controller, the family traveled and lived all over the world, including New Jersey, San Diego, Maryland, Iceland, Newfoundland, and Virginia Beach. Dorothy cherished planning their military travels around historic landmarks, ensuring her children experienced the great sights of the United States. After retirement, their closest Navy friends, Raymond and Phyllis Reel, moved home to Tennessee, ultimately inspiring Dorothy and John to make their own move to Park City, TN.
It was always important to Dorothy to balance working outside the home with being there for her children. She worked as a bookkeeper for a fabric store and a jewelry store and eventually retired from Ronnie Wallace Construction. Wherever the Navy took them, Dorothy made it a priority to establish a church home. She and her husband were longtime members of the Linda Vista Church of Christ in California, Lexington Park Church of Christ, Central Church of Christ in Norfolk, VA, and finally, the Plainview Church of Christ in Hazel Green, AL. Dorothy was deeply involved in her faith, actively teaching children’s Bible classes, developing curriculum, and mentoring high school students in Virginia Beach.
Dorothy remained vibrant and active even during her time in assisted living. She loved visiting with fellow residents, helping lead community activities, and was particularly fond of working on jigsaw puzzles.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Richard D. (Fenella) Fraley of Tullahoma, Pamela Sue (Darrel) Snider of Lawrenceburg, and Kevin Eugene (Shannon) Fraley of Chesapeake, VA; grandchildren, Stephanie Kate Ware (Tozia), Ena Michelle Reaves (Cliff), John Peter Fraley (Kirby), Rachel Hughes (Patrick), Ryan Fraley (Abigail Mary Cannon) and Carey Costa (Michael); great-grandchildren, Mary Ellen Fraley, Asa and Eli Reaves, Justice, Maddox, Parker, Seth and Rosalie Hughes, Evelyn, Linden, Margaret and Heath Costa; and sisters, Irene Tate and Edna Leatherwood.
In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, John David Fraley; and brothers, Bob, David, Jack, and Reggie Bogart.
A private graveside service will be held at Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens. The family requests memorials be made to the church mission fund of your choice.
Higgins Funeral Home is privileged to offer comfort, care, and support to the family of Dorothy Evelyn Bogart Fraley.
2 Comments To "Dorothy Evelyn Bogart Fraley"
#1 Comment By Jim and Shirley Steelman On July 2, 2026 @ 8:23 pm
Dot was an exceptionally fine, Christian women. She was always a fine participant in Bible class where she contributed sound reasoning on the scriptures. We share many memories with her and John, her first husband, and with her second husband, Bobby Underwood. She dealt with many trials in her later years and never wavered from her excellent character. She loved Grand Pa’s chicken salad sandwiches from Fayetteville, had a sharp wit, and could dish it as well as take it. It was always a joy to visit with her. God bless her.
#2 Comment By Lisa Teeples On July 2, 2026 @ 8:28 pm
I enjoyed my years of working with Dorothy at the jewelry store. She was like a mother to us all.