Dorothy "Tiny" Lee (Gilstrap) Hulsey

Dorothy Lee “Tiny” (Gilstrap) Hulsey, age 83, of Gainesville, Georgia, completed her earthly journey and entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Born October 19, 1942, in Gainesville, Georgia, Tiny was the daughter of the late Leon “Lee” M. Gilstrap Sr. and Dorothy Elizabeth (Owen) Gilstrap.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Gilstrap and brother, Lee Gilstrap Jr.

Tiny graduated from Gainesville High School “Big Red” in the Class of 1960 and was also a proud member of the first graduating class of Gainesville Junior College. To continue her education, Tiny attended Brenau College and the University of Georgia earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and Education Specialist degrees.  She displayed great dedication by completing her education while serving as a wife and mother raising four children.

For 36 years Tiny devoted her life to teaching, serving students in Hall County Schools, Lakeview Academy, and Gainesville City Schools.  Her students brought her great joy, and she was always proud to see them succeed in life as adults.  However, Tiny took the most pride in spending time with her family.  She and her husband, BJ, loved to travel to Savannah and Coastal Georgia, explore back roads, and visit the North Georgia mountains and National Parks across the country.

An active member of her community, Tiny was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church.  As a docent at the Northeast Georgia History Center, she enjoyed helping visitors learn about the region’s history.  In addition, as a member and secretary of the Gainesville Study Club, she enjoyed insights from guest speakers and the warm fellowship of friends.

She is survived by her husband Benjamin “BJ” Hulsey Jr; children, Colonel Benjamin J. Hulsey III, USAF Retired (Connie), Montgomery, AL; Allison Blackwood; Holly Wyatt (Larry), Marion, VA; and Stephanie Hulsey; grandchildren, Julie Kriss (Scott), Amanda Ramey (Pete), Beth Rice (Jake), Matthew Cagle (Kara), Ashton Paine (Josh), Makayla McAllister (Cole), Austin Wyatt, and Gracie Wyatt; great-grandchildren, Shane Kriss (Sage), Nate Kriss, Walter Rice, and Charlie Rice.  She is also survived by her sisters, Carolyn Boyd (Chris), Costa Mesa, CA and Ann Roberts, Conyers, GA, as well as many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Tiny was a passionate and generous person who loved God, her country, family, friends, and work colleagues.  The Hulsey family is grateful for the kind, professional, and attentive staff at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Tugaloo Home Health Care, Riverside Pharmacy, and Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel on Sunday, December 7, 2025.  A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 1:00 pm.   In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations: First Baptist Church-Music Ministry or Ministry of Caring, Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, Lakeview Academy, North Georgia Community Foundation c/o GHS Legacy Bricks, or Eagle Ranch.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com  

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