Dorothy "Earlene" Egger, 88 of Caledonia, MS passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-GT, Columbus, MS. Visitation will be Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 12 - 2 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. Funeral services will follow at 2 PM in the Chapel with Rev. Bobby Cobb and Andy Vaughn officiating. Interment will be in Egger Cemetery, Caledonia, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Egger was born February 9, 1926 in Caledonia, MS to the late Earl and Lottie Savage Groves. She was a 1942 graduate of Caledonia High School, and also a graduate of Draughon's Business School, Memphis, TN. Mrs. Egger retired in 1992 after working since the early 1950s for United Technologies as Executive Secretary to each plant manager. Mrs. Egger was a life-long member of Border Springs Baptist Church where she served faithfully on various committees, taught Training Union and had a heart for the Women's Missionary Union. She served as a Trustee of Unity and Smith Cemeteries. Mrs. Egger had farming interests in Lowndes County and served on several community boards. She had a passion for collecting historical and genealogical information and sharing it. She often accompanied visitors from other states to local cemeteries forming lasting friendships with many seeking information about their Caledonia ancestors. Mrs. Egger was a patron of the Columbus and Caledonia Libraries. She had an inquisitive mind and never stopped learning and sharing her knowledge with others. Mrs. Egger was an avid Mississippi State supporter all of her life, having developed a love of sports as a young girl. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Clyde Neilson Egger, Jr., brothers Hunter and James Groves and sister Sarah Groves Arndt. In addition Mrs. Egger was first married to Maj. Branwood J. Wilding, who died shortly before the birth of their daughter. Mrs. Egger is survived by her son, Bud (Donna) Egger, Caledonia, MS; daughters, Kathy Wilding (Jimmy) Wilson, Meridian, MS, Susan Egger (Earl) Baham, Charleston, SC and Lucy Egger (Ike) Nelson, Foley, AL; grandchildren, Guy (Courtney) Purvis, Jr., Kristin (John) Dounian, Mark Nelson, Kelly (Mike) Lally, Eric (Bonnie) Nelson, Neil (Lisa) Egger, Katie (Andy) Gainey and Betsy (Andy) Vaughn; 10 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Dotti Egger, McAllen, TX; many loving and caring nieces and nephews as well as life long friends and neighbors in Caledonia. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Earl Arndt, John Dounian, Andy Gainey, Lance Holder, Matt Holder and Mike Lally. Honorary pallbearers will be William "Mack" Egger, Ken Byars, Dwight Colson, Walter Dowdle, Basil Earnest, Searcy Egger, Brad Freeman, Sam Goolsby, Billy Lawrence, Jimmy Madison, Jim Murphy, Jack Newberry, John Harvey Partain, Harold Wayne Partain, Johnny Phillips, Jess Prescott, Jeff Smith, Mike Smith, Charles Thomas, John Wiggins, Tommy Wiggins and her doctors, Dr. Barton Williams, Dr. Brad Brown and Dr. Brett Brown. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the doctors and staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital, their ambulance service and the Columbus Fire and Rescue. Memorials may be made in Mrs. Egger's memory to the donor's choice.