Dorothy Helen Dillard Cannon (known as Dott Cannon or “Mima”) completed her life’s journey of almost 95 years on the afternoon of September 9, 2020. She made her transition gracefully surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Dott expressed her pure, magnetic, accepting, and generous nature in her many relationships of all kinds and ages.
Dott Cannon was born on September 25, 1925 to Erin and Evie Dillard in Tupelo, where she grew up. She attended Ole Miss at 16 years old from 1942-1944 where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Fraternity, and she went to Yale for graduate studies in nursing from 1944-1947. Dott served in the military as a nurse cadet in 1944, and later got a job at the Brookhaven Health Department, where she met her husband, Fred Cannon.
Dott married Fred on May 16, 1948, and they shared 45 years together. Dott raised five children and contributed to the family business along with many social and civic organizations. In 1976, she took on responsibility for Dillard Enterprises as co-president and later became the sole owner and president.
Dott’s role in her community was a life-long commitment and dedication to volunteerism. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, she participated in the King’s Daughter’s and Son’s Willing Hearts Circle and Junior Auxiliary, and she served on the Mississippi State Board of Health and the Mississippi School of the Arts Foundation Board. She enjoyed the Garden Club, the Brookhaven Camellia Society, her Bridge Club for over 65 years, her Luncheon Club, and the Climbers Club.
Dott Cannon was always up for an adventure and she traveled with family and her “Country Club” girl-friend group through the US, Europe, Mexico and Central America, China and Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. She was quick to turn a stranger into a friend with her sincere curiosity and compassion.
Dott will be remembered for her kind and open heart—she made introductions with her hand over her heart expressing her love, “This is my dear, dear friend”.
Everyone who knew Dott Cannon was touched by her warm and beaming spirit. She made all of us certain that we were the most special to her.
Dott was a rare gem, a soaring comet, a sanctuary of loving enthusiasm that will be sorely missed by many.
Dott Cannon was survived by her children: Becky Cannon and her partner, Leonard Jacobs, David Cannon and his wife, Lea Ann Cannon, the late William Cannon’s partner, Janie Reeves, and Frederick Cannon and his wife, Kaye Cannon; She was also survived by her grand- and great grandchildren Emi Kubota, Mari Kubota, Zo Kubota-Johnson, Naomi Walsh Kubota, Blake Cannon, Cameron Cannon, Alec Cannon, AJ (Austin) Cannon , Claire Cannon, KK (Katelyn) Cannon, Hazel Cannon, Violet Cannon, Carla Wallace, Kristin Hatten, Casey Wallace, Carly Beth Wallace, Haven Hatten, Anna Ballard, and Leigh Michael Cannon. “Mima” was preceded in death by her parents, Erin and Evie Dillard, her husband, Fred Cannon, her brother, Dr. Erin Dillard, her sons, Michael Cannon, and William Cannon.
The family wishes to thank Jewelene Buie, Sandra Nelson, Joyce Brown, and the staff of Encompass Health Hospice for their loving support and help through Dott’s transition time.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.
Dott Cannon Funeral Sermon
In our reading from Isaiah today, we read that, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted.”
Isaiah speaks of the promise of great things to the people of Jerusalem and records the rejoicing that they will experience upon the fulfillment of those promises. Our reading today presents an optimism: righteousness, salvation, and joy are repeated throughout.
The tribes of Israel, former exiles, have returned to Jerusalem after a lengthy diaspora that challenged their faith in God. Their return was not easy, but their faith in God persists and carries them forward with joy and hope.
In our psalm, as well as the gospel reading from John today, bring us images of the shepherd that leads us, correcting our path when we are headed for danger, and keeping us close and safe. The epistle of John reminds us that we are children of God, further highlighting our dependence on God, Yes, our dependence, but also that freedom, yes, freedom that we experience within that rule. “Thy rod, and thy staff, they comfort me.”
Dott was, for many of us, like a good shepherd. As a nurse, as a mother, and as friend, she didn’t dismiss the hardships that come along the way, but took them in stride. Through her sheer joy of life and ever-present kindheartedness, she bound up the broken hearted. Through her wide grin and colorful outfits, she brought us the good news that life was far too important to be taken too seriously. Perhaps if there were a gospel of Dott, it would be “Love all these people, and don’t sweat the small stuff.”
For example when Dott drove Anna to her fist sleep-away experience at Bratton Green, our local Episcopal summer camp, for an “intro camp” weekend designed for little ones, it was discovered that a guardian was intended to stay the weekend with them. Dott didn’t blink, she rushed home to pack a bag and roughed it all weekend in those un-air conditioned cabins. She didn’t even tell Frederick and Kaye what had happened until after the deed was done. Or while traveling on a cruise, Dott’s luggage was lost, so she got some versatile garments from the gift shop, and spent the rest of her trip worrying about what was really important, having a great time.
For my part, I only knew Dott recently. However, every person I have seen since moving to Brookhaven has said (entirely unsolicited) “Oh, I wish you had known Dott for longer….” at which point their faces light up with the biggest smiles as they remember meals she served at the Church, or Christmas parties she hosted, or people she connected with working through Angel’s Attic or the Junior Auxiliary, or whatever institution you could name. It is as if in remembering Dott, they manifest the electricity and joy that is Dott. As we believe, that Dott lives on as a member of the Body of Christ. We always have her present when we gather in prayer. In remembering Dott, we never truly have to say goodbye because we know that we will reunite with her one day.
Dott kept many, I believe, on the right path, living a righteous life, but not forgetting to laugh at it along the way, Like a sequined shepherd, eshewing the rod and staff for a plate of hor dourves and a bright colorful scarf.
And it is fitting that we interr her here, in the shadow of Cannon Hall, named in honor of the Cannon family and imbued both then and now with her hospitality and spirit. May it continue to serve family and strangers as with the same vitality and generosity that Dott demonstrated.
Like Isaiah, God has anointed Dott, to bring the Good News of compassion, love of neighbor, of radical welcome and ubiquitous maternity that reminds us of God’s humor, God’s grace, and most importantly, of God’s love.