Dorothy "Dot" Anderson Regel

Born April 6, 1938 in Brooklyn, MS. Graduated from Forrest County AHS and attended the University of Southern Mississippi from where she received her BS and master's degrees and later her AAA certification in Educational Administration.

Dot began her teaching career in Magnolia, MS where for two years, she taught physical education and coached basketball, volleyball and track. She then moved to Gulfport, MS to accept a job at Gulfport High School. She taught physical education, coached the tennis team for 23 years, was the sponsor of the Commodettes, and also coached volleyball. As the tennis coach at Gulfport, she was named Coach of the Year for District 8 several years. She received the "Pride in Teaching" award given by the MS Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

Dot served as the District Public Information Specialist for a time. She later became the Coordinator of the Migrant Education Program, and Mississippi Materials and Resource Center. She retired from education in 1994 with 35 years. Dot received her Real Estate License in 1993 and after retirement, worked a number of years as a realtor with McGuire Real Estate, where she was a member of the Million Dollar Club.

Her summers were spent on Lookout Mountain at Camp DeSoto, a Christian girl's camp, in Mentone, AL, where she taught tennis. After her marriage to Leon, she continued her relationship with Camp DeSoto by returning numerous times to conduct tennis clinics for the girls.

She was an active member of Mississippi City United Methodist Church. Served as Chairman of the Administrative Council and Council on Ministries and served on numerous other committees over the years, including the Staff Pastor Parish Relation Committee, Board of Trustees, and worked in the church food pantry. She was actively involved in the activities of the church until her death.

As a Charter member of Bayou Bluff Tennis Club, she served two terms as President of the Board of Directors. She was Chairman of the Tennis Committee and served many years as a member of the tennis committee as well as several years on the nominating committee. She was a charter member and "commissioner" of the Ladies Tuesday Night 4.0-4.5 Tennis League. She played countless USTA NTRP League teams. She taught individual and group tennis lessons for years. She was also a certified referee and monitored numerous tournaments.

She was a mentor in the Gulfport schools and worked with numerous young ladies over the years.

Dot and her husband were avid USM football supporters. They were season ticket holders and longtime members of the USM Eagle Club and Alumni Association.

Dot was a Governor's appointee to the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority and also served as the Governor's appointee to the Office of Handicapped Services Advisory Board. 

She was also an appointee to the Eastern Stream Center of Resource and Training Advisory Council that worked to improve the educational opportunities for the children of migrant workers in twenty-three states.

Dot was an avid sports fan and sports participant. She had numerous State Tennis Rankings, including a couple of number one double rankings and even a Southern ranking at one time. At age 69 she took up golf, and it became her passion. She was a member of the Dogwood Hills Golf Club, Great Southern Golf Club and Mississippi Gulf Coast Women's Golf Association.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hix (Bonnie) Anderson of Brooklyn, MS, her brothers Ellis N. Anderson of Dothan, AL, and Hix Anderson, Jr. of Brooklyn, MS.

Survived by her husband of 48 years, J. Leon Regel, and nephews, Gilbert Anderson, Joe Anderson, Norman Anderson and niece, Kathleen Anderson. She is also survived by Brother in laws, sister in laws, nieces and a host of cherished friends.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. A private burial will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Gulfport, MS. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mississippi City United Church, 219 Courthouse Rd. Gulfport, MS 39503 are suggested. Or just take a friend out to lunch!

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, will proudly be serving the Regel family.