Ella "Dolly" Katherine Tittsworth Jolly passed away December 10, 2025 at the age of 94. Born September 18, 1931 in Shelbyville, TN, she was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Jack Jolly; parents John B. and Ella Catherine Tittsworth, her sisters Ione Hitt, Ruth Eakin, Lucille Stephenson, Elizabeth Dennis, Anne Smith, and her brothers Fred, John, Curtiss, George (Bud), and Ralph Tittsworth.

She was raised in Shelbyville, educated in the public school system, and graduated from Central High School in 1949. Mrs. Jolly attended Middle Tennessee State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and also a Master of Education Degree, graduating Cum Laude.

She began her career in education in Shelbyville at the same elementary school that she had attended as a child. After teaching there for three years she moved to Miami, Florida where she taught for two years in the Miami-Dade School System.

Returning to Tennessee, she taught at Mitchell-Neilson Elementary (where she met her husband Jack) before being transferred to Bellwood when it first opened as a new elementary school. From there she began supervising the Title One Reading Program in the Murfreesboro City School System. After a move to Tullahoma, Tennessee with her family, she began teaching at Robert E. Lee Elementary before taking a year off to return to college to further her education.

Returning to Murfreesboro in 1972, she began teaching as a third grade teacher at the Homer Pittard Campus School, and remaining there until her retirement in 1993. After retirement she she enjoyed traveling with her husband, and accompanying him on his many baseball scouting trips throughout the state.

In her pastime she enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, and traveling...having in her past traveled to the countries of Cuba, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. In 1954 she and two of her sisters went by automobile on a complete tour of the western U.S. states. She developed a love of football and had season tickets to the Tennessee Titans for many years.

She was a member of the Retired Teachers of Rutherford County, in which she was an active member for many years, as well as a loyal member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

While being born as Ella Katherine, she was always known to everyone as Dolly. The reason for this is that when she was a little baby she slept in a dresser drawer, and her brother Ralph always said she looked like a little Dolly. The name stuck.

She is survived by her daughter Susie Jolly Fusting (Larry), son John P. Jolly, grandchildren Gracie Arms (Travis), Jackson Fusting, and great grandchildren Hunter Arms, and Ruby Kate Arms.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you be like Dolly and give out as much love, joy, and happiness, as you can, be good to others, have a kind hearted soul, and help the less fortunate.

Visitation will be Sunday December 21st 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Celebration of life service will follow at 3:00 PM with Dr. Jim Clardy officiating. www.woodfinchapel.com