THE SPLASHING of the waterfall is a welcoming melody to Dorris Turrentine as she savors the sweet, earthy perfume of iris blooms carried by the evening breeze. Tricolored orange, white, and black goldfish circle the edges of the pond. Their graceful acrobatics turn Dorris’ garden into a living canvas more breathtaking than a painting by Claude Monet.
Birdsong harmonizes with the steady trickle and splashes of the waterfall and the occasional rustle of leaves — a symphony of peace tailor-made by Dorris. This oasis of contentment is more than a flower garden; it’s a culmination of care and love — every stone carefully chosen, every flower nurtured. Each bloom holds the memory of an old friend, some gifted decades ago by neighbors. And if you stop by for a visit, her husband, Alvis, said you wouldn’t leave empty-handed.
In 1944, when Alvis was 3, his family moved to the Pleasant Grove community, and in 1949, Dorris’ family moved to the area. Growing up, they both attended Pleasant Grove School through eighth grade and Pleasant Grove Methodist Church (PGMC). After graduating from Shelbyville Central High in 1959, Alvis attended Tennessee Tech (TT), where he received a degree in mechanical engineering in 1964.
“We married at PGMC on a hot day with- out air conditioning in 1963. We had a weekend honeymoon to Gatlinburg, then I had to be back for work Monday at the [Tennessee Valley Authority] power plant in Gallatin,” recalled Alvis.
When he graduated from TT, the “Space Race” was ramping up, so Alvis accepted an exciting position at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex, testing jet engines. Dorris settled into a job at Pencil Printing. Every Saturday, Alvis traveled from their home in Shelbyville to his father’s farm in Pleasant Grove, and the two started raising Angus cattle.
“When our first child, Troy, came into the world in 1967, Dorris’ job changed forever. She was now a mother and a homemaker, which she excelled in,” recalled Alvis. “As Dorris neared the birth of our second child, we went to a farm sale on Greer Road near our beloved Pleasant Grove community, hoping to buy a 150-acre tract to graze our Angus cattle. Instead, God told us to buy the house and 48 acres.”
Their son, Tim, joined the family nine days later, and in 1973, they welcomed Julie.
“Our children became the center of our lives. Last October, Troy lost his life in a tragic accident. This has been the saddest time of our lives, and we are still heartbroken.”
As the family grieves, they cling to their faith and to their congregation at PGMC. The lifelong connections they’ve formed within the tight-knit community, coupled with the beauty they’ve cultivated at their farm, comfort them.
“Our farm has now been the center of our family for more than 50 years. We’ve had a busy and rewarding life. My engineering career provided a technically challenging life, and while the farm has challenged us physically, both have their rewards. Dorris has been the rock that kept our home and family together. But the church and our belief in God have kept us focused on the things that matter. These aren’t material things, but the wonders that God provides each day and, most of all, His guidance. With all His blessings, we plan to celebrate our 62nd anniversary on July 3.”
As resounding “moos” echo across the Turrentines’ pasture from their prized Angus bulls and heifers, they whisper a heart- felt “thanks” to the community and to their church that has embraced them for nearly eight decades. GN
