Elizabeth Longendorfer

Dee was born on February 28, 1919 on a farm in West Tennessee. Her childhood on the farm gave her a lifelong love of nature. She attended college at Murray State University and became a teacher. Her stories of teaching in a one room schoolhouse were full of her humor and love of people. During the war, she went to Detroit to work. Her adventures eventually brought her to Oak Ridge where she was a chemical technician at ORNL. There she met her husband Earl and made Oak Ridge her home.
Dee had a twinkle in her eyes and a love of life that was contagious. Her ability to find humor in the ordinary was a gift she shared with everyone. She rode roller coasters, swam in the ocean, hiked up mountains, played cut-throat rummy, cooked great meals, went on bird counts in the rain and laughed through it all. She knew how to work hard, but always found time to play. She volunteered with the Camp Fire Girls for many years, teaching them to respect the natural world around them. She was an avid gardener and life member of the Oak Ridge Garden Club. Her laughter and playful spirit will be greatly missed.
Dee is survived by her daughter Jane Longendorfer, Step-son John Longendorfer and Daughter-in-Law Lillian, Sister-in-Law Verble Adams, Nephew Ronnie Adams and Wife Janet, Nephew Ray Adams, Nephew Vic Adams and Wife Lesa. She is preceded in death by her husband of many years, John Earl Longendorfer, parents Lee and Maggie Adams, Brother Horace Adams, and Sister Norine Hopkins..
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shelter Animal Rescue Group of Oak Ridge ( https://www.shelteranimalsrescue.org/ ) or the Oak Ridge Art Center ( http://www.oakridgeartcenter.org/ ).