Dorothea (Dottie) Ann Darnell, 79 of Cahokia, Illinois was born on July 18th 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri to the parents of John J. Follmer and Dorthea Nester. Dorthea went home to be with Jesus on July 8th at 7:53pm at Saint Louis University Hospital.

Dottie was a retired bus driver from the Milstadt School District where she spent almost two decades bussing "her kids" as she so lovingly would put. Dottie was so loved by her students and co-workers that she actually has a street named after her Dottie Ave. Dottie also worked for many years at the Cahokia K-Mart before they were closed.

Dottie was a born again believer and was a proud member of Power of Change Christian Church "99" She was always listening to her favorite Christian music, like Casting Crowns, and many others. Dottie's greatest love outside of Jesus was her kids, she loved raising children, her children, your children, everybody's children, and she was good at it. Nana as the kids would call her loved going to her house. The kids knew they could have a ball at "Nana's House" and they did. She loved kids. Nana always would say they were "her purpose for her being here". It's what kept her going.
Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, John J. Follmer and Dorthea Riker, her husband Robert L Darnell Sr., her brother Joseph Follmer, Sisters Patricia Follmer, Georgia Elliot, and Kathryn Keesee

Surviving are her brother John J Follmer Jr., children, Frank (Edna) Williams of Owensville, MO, Robin (Kenny) Davis of Cuba, MO, Cathy (Roger Banscum) Darnell of Cahokia, IL, Robert (Kellie Diers) Darnell, Jr, of Cahokia, IL, and Michael (Gloria) Darnell of Cahokia, IL; three grandchildren, Crystal Bequette, Pamela (Michael) Peden, and Rocky (Michelle) Follmer; 13 great grandchildren Corneisha, Cassidy and Chrissyanna Holliday, Allen Michael Jr, Jeremiah, Allieahnna, Alayah, Jessiah Peden, Caleb, Mckenzie Follmer as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.