Gaston Dotson

Gaston Dotson

January 3, 1945 ~ August 31, 2025

80 Years Old

Gaston Dotson (Candy), 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025 in Bolivar, TN. Gaston was born January 3, 1945 in Whiteville, TN and was the son of the late Deltha Dotson and Zechariah Norment.

Gaston accepted Christ at an early age and joined Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church in Whiteville, TN. He attended and was a graduate of Allen-White High School in Whiteville, TN, where he was well known for his great basketball skills and all-around athletic ability.

Gaston later joined the United States Army in 1965, where he served for two years including the Vietnam War. During his service, he earned several medals of commendation and recognition including the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one battle star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with palm, the Vietnamese Camp medal with date bar and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Later moving to East Chicago, IN in 1970, Gaston married his loving wife of 53 years Deloris on July 6, 1972.

Affectionally known as “Dotto or Dotson,” he went on to work at Inland Steel for 31 years before retiring in 2001.

Upon retirement, he and Deloris moved back to Tennessee in 2005, where they called Jackson, TN home. The Dotson household has always been a home of love and was often the “place to be,” serving as the backdrop to countless family celebrations and special occasions, and of course, a competitive game of spades.

Gaston was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings; Brenda Jean Dotson, James Arthur Dotson, Novella Rollins and Glenn Dotson, special cousin John A. Harris, and his son, Clayborn Nettles. Gaston’s life will forever be cherished in the lives of his devoted wife Deloris, his children Michael Williams (Carolyn) of St. Louis, Missouri, Demetrius Hudson of Nashville, TN, Shanda Dotson of Jackson, TN, Reggie Dotson of Oakland, TN, godson, Britton (Kia) Smith of Fort Washington, MD, grandchildren Jonias and Janylah Dotson, Maya Williams and Myisha Williams, great grandchildren Bryan Tyus Jr., Haylee Tyus, Makiya Williams and Amari Morrison, siblings Edna Dotson Ford of Bolivar, TN and George T. (Brenda) Dotson of Whiteville, TN, special niece Tangie Dotson, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Homegoing services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 6, at Union Hill M.B. Church in Whiteville, TN, Rev.

Cory Bufford, Pastor and Officiant, Pastor Ernest Polk, St. James M.B Church, Eulogist. Public visitation will be held Friday, September 5, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Dixie Funeral Home in Bolivar, TN. Family hour will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m

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