Dorothy Tison Fagan

Dorothy Tison Fagan, age 101, of Gainesville, FL, died on October 28, 2026 at the Haven Hospice Care Center. She was born on September 19, 1925 to John Mason Tison and Dorothy Howell in Gainesville, Florida.

Dorothy was especially proud of her “pioneer” family who moved to Alachua County in 1822, first to Evinston, and then to Gainesville. She liked to say that she began her life on Magnolia Street (her childhood home still there) and will leave on Magnolia Street, her gravesite location at Evergreen Cemetery. She attended Eastside Grammar School (later called Kirby Smith) and graduated in 1943, from Gainesville High School (then located on East Univ Ave). She attended Furman University for two years and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1947, with a BS degree in Textiles and Clothing. She was awarded a scholarship to attend the Merrill Palmer Institute in Detroit, Michigan to study early childhood development. Dorothy later received a Masters degree in Education from the University of Florida. Dorothy taught Kindergarten at J. J. Finley (now Parker Elementary) in 1947, when Florida first opened public kindergartens. Her principal was Myra Terwilliger and she had 42 students in her class. After teaching four years at Finley, she spent two years teaching in Nuremburg, Germany at the American School for the children of Army personnel. When she returned to teach second grade at J.J. Finley, her class included her niece Stephanie Tison Walsh.

Dorothy was married to Osee Robert Fagan, whom she met at the First Baptist Church, for fifty-seven years. When they married in 1957, she adopted his three children whom they raised along with their daughter Martha Lee. Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother who set an example of hard work, family devotion and faith. One friend, who was often in the home, commented that Dorothy was always doing something for others. Osee preceded her in death on December 16, 2014. Her four siblings, all deceased, were John Mason Tison, Charlie Gordon Tison, Hazel Lee Williams, and Martha Nell Darlington. Yvette Grundy (for almost twenty years) and Garcia Reese were devoted caregivers who are like family.

Dorothy called Gainesville home her entire life. Her hobbies included gardening, sewing, upholstering, genealogy, and birding. She raised worms for her birds, hand feeding several wrens. She and Osee enjoyed fishing and bird watching in Cedar Key with dear friends, and traveling with close relatives. She loved worshipping at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville and was a lifelong member. She was also a member of the Alachua Audubon Society, Junior League, Gainesville Women’s Club, Phi Mu Sorority, Young Life, and Colonial Dames.

Dorothy is survived by her four children: Lynn Bryan (William “Bear”), Laurie Jennings, Osee Robert “Rob” Fagan Jr. and Martha Lee Fagan (Steve Holder). She is also survived by nine grandchildren- Osee Robert “Trey” Fagan III (Lauren), Kimberly Hord Price (Tim), Sunia Thiam, Sage Jennings, Tracy Lawlor (Hal), Patrick Fagan (Amanda), Alicia Fagan (Cynthia), Shannon Holder, and Steven Holder. Her nine great grandchildren brightened their “Dodie’s” world, particularly in recent years. On the Tison side, she is also survived by her niece and nephews Stephanie “Stevie” Walsh, Rick Williams (Winnie), and Wayne Darlington (Linda) and cousin Jane Correll. On the Fagan side she is survived by her sister-in-law Jayne Hope and fifteen very dear nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes Dorothy has donated her body to Shands Teaching Hospital to advance medical science and education. There will be a private, family graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville.

Memorials or donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, E.T. York Hospice Care Center of Gainesville or Alachua County Audubon Society.