Dorothy Mae Eldredge Crittenden

Dorothy Mae Eldredge Crittenden of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving family.

As per Dorothy’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.

Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in 1934, Dorothy spent her teen years working as a telephone switchboard operator and a movie theater attendant. She graduated from Ft. Lauderdale High School in 1942. Dorothy married Allen Jeffrey Eldredge in 1954 and became a military wife, living in Austria, Germany, Washington D.C., Alaska and lastly Alabama. She and Allen had three children, and upon his retirement from the US Army, the family settled in Daleville, Alabama.

Dorothy (Dottie) made a name for herself in sales soon after her arrival in Daleville. With her vivacious personality and her determination to succeed, she rose to managerial levels in Avon, Home Interiors and Decorama. Dottie also had a talent for sewing and clothing design and used her skills to help create designs for Southeastern Apparel. Her designs are still being produced to this day. She then found her true calling in the antique business. She had an instinct for quality in both furnishings and collectibles and developed a following within the estate sale and antiques communities. Her second husband, Don Crittenden, worked with her and they became a fixture in those circles. She worked with Dirt Cheap Antiques for many years and loved it.

Dorothy is survived by her three children: Cathy Eldredge Brown and her husband Tim Brown, George Eldredge and his wife Mylina, and Jennifer Eldredge Borman and her husband Gene Borman; her three grandchildren, Ryan Allen Eldredge, Lauren Eldredge Nicholson, and David Alden Eldredge, and seven great-grandchildren. She leaves behind her beloved dog Carmen who will now live with her son George.

Dorothy also leaves behind the many friends she was fortunate to have over the years, especially Verna and Jay Saliba, Jamey Cochran, Jane Ann Shannon with Cottage Antiques, and her colleagues at Antique Attic in Dothan.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff with Gentiva Hospice for all the support and care they gave her.