Dorothy "Dottie" Ann Dillard, 91, died on May 6, 2015. Dorothy was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. She attended Drury College where she began her singing career with classmates and sorority sisters, appearing at O'Reilly General Hospital, Red Cross and the USO and receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1945. After graduation she was invited to audition for a radio program in Nashville. Soon she was an established singer performing with Snookie Lanson, Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Jimmy Dean and other artists. The Anita Kerr Quartet formed in 1951 and began singing on radio programs and appearing on television programs including the Ozark Jubilee, Grand Ole Opry, Arthur Godfrey Show from New York City and WSM television morning shows. During her successful career Dorothy and the quartet sang background vocals for many recording artists including Perry Como, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Pete Fountain, Al, Hirt and Burl Ives. Her voice can be heard in the background on familiar Christmas hits: Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Rockin Around the Christmas Tree. In 1966 the Quartet won two Grammys, one for best vocal group on the album, We Dig Mancini and the second for best vocal group on a religious album, George Beverly Shea Sings Southland Favorites With The Anita Kerr Quartet. After a 36 year career in Nashville Dorothy returned to Springfield in 1981 to care for her 90-year old mother. She was a member of the Drury Women's Auxiliary, Pi Beta Phi, Home Decor Art Group and was a docent for Gray/Campbell Farmstead. Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved parents, Orpha Foltz Smith Dillard and Frank Anderson Dillard; brother Frank Anderson Dillard Jr.; and cousins George II, Milton Thompson and P. Lyn Thompson. She is survived by beloved nieces Suzanne Dillard Burke and Sarah "Sally" Young (David) and daughters; beloved cousins George III, Lynn and Karen Thompson; Patsy Thompson and Nancy White (Michael); dearest friends Susie and Dale Nelson and extended Horner family and Lisa and Steve Hendrick. Visitation will be Monday, May 11, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, MO 65804, (417) 886-9994, with the funeral service to follow at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Drury University Women's Auxiliary Endowed Scholarship Fund, 900 N Benton, Springfield, MO, 65802.