Retired BellSouth Employee, Devoted Mother and Unwavering Friend

Dorothy G. Wilbanks, 95, transitioned from her earthly life on March 16, 2024, at CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, TN, surrounded by family.

She graduated in the 1946 class of Howard High School, studied business at Tennessee State University, and she was one of the first black women to be hired as a telephone operator at South Central Bell.

She is preceded in death by her husband Louis Wilbanks, mother Marie Jewsome, father Roy Jewsome, biological father Allen Graves, sister Louise Graves, and grandmother Claudia Bell.

She is survived by daughters Patricia Bell-Scott Underwood (Charles) of Athens, GA, Brenda Bell McAdams of Morristown, TN, son Louis Bell Jr (Deborah) of Chattanooga, TN, godson Freddie F. Fallins of Chattanooga, TN, grandsons Terrin (Nathea), Patrick (Monique), and LaTroy Bell (Candice) of Chattanooga, TN, Dorothy McAdams of Baltimore, MD, Gary Forward of Houston, TX, Benjamin McAdams Jr of Manassas, Virginia, and Patricia Presley of Morristown, TN. She is survived by a host of great- and great-great grandchildren and cousins. Survivors also include a

wide circle of devoted friends for whom she became “another mother” and trusted confidante, including Leatha Fischer, Doris Brazelton, Jo Ann Pearson, and McDaniel Bowman. She is survived by her latest rescue and beloved cat Gypsy. Pastor McDaniel Bowman will officiate.

Public viewing will be held 9:00 am - 12:30pm Monday, March 25, 2024 at the funeral home, followed by a 12:30pm funeral service. Interment: Chattanooga National Cemetery.

For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Dorothy Wilbanks, the family suggests the Chattanooga Community Kitchen of the CHATT Foundation @ Homelessness - Chatt Foundation or McKamey Animal Center@ mckameyanimalcenter.org

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.