Dorothy F. Vantrease, age 78 of Malvern, died Tuesday night, December 8, 2009, in the Hot Spring County Medical Center . She was born in Malvern on January 14, 1931 to the late Walter A. and Linnie Robbins Fitzhugh. Reared and educated in Malvern, she retired as a contract secretary from International Paper Company after over 30 years of service working in both the Malvern and Sheridan offices. She was the widow of the late John Vantrease, Sr., to whom she was married on July 10, 1948. He preceded her in death on February 15, 2004. Dorothy was a member of First United Methodist Church . She was an avid gardener and loved to cook for her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Vantrease, of Malvern; by a sister, Marcille Stiles, also of Malvern; by a granddaughter, Jenny Welch, and a great-granddaughter, Ava Welch, both of Atlanta , Georgia ; and by many loving nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was also preceded in death by her son, Johnny Vantrease, Jr., and by two brothers, Lloyd and Chester Fitzhugh.

Her funeral will be held at ten o'clock Friday morning, December 11, 2009 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church with Reverend LaVon Post officiating. Interment will follow in Shadowlawn Cemetery .

Pallbearers will be: Steve Walker, Gary Stiles, Bill Knight, Jim Hinkle, Kevin McConnell, and Herbert Wright.

Honorary pallbearer is Dr. Larry Brashears.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society for Lung Cancer Research.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.