Dorothy "Dot" Elizabeth Ross Harmon Connelly, 97, of Anderson, formerly of Newberry, died Thursday October 28, 2021. To her mother, she was Dorothy; to her family and friends, she was Dot and to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was GranDot. But to all she was a vivacious and fun-loving woman. She was born on April 10, 1924 in Newberry to the late Albert James and Maude Gilliam Ross. Dot lived a long and full life - a child of the Great Depression, a young adult during World War II, a mother of four, grandmother of two, great grandmother of three, owner of Harmon-Culbertson School of Dance for 15 years, a psychiatric social worker, a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Social Work for 12 years, Director of the Cherokee County Mental Health Center, a docent at the South Carolina State Museum and of all things, a water aerobics instructor retiring at age 85. Dot was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Anderson. She was a life-long Sunday School teacher. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, American Association of University Women, and numerous other civic and professional organizations. She graduated from Newberry High School in 1941, Newberry College in 1944 and received her Master of Social Work from Florida State University in 1965. Dot was twice married, first to the late Bennett Meredith Harmon for 46 years until his death, and second to the late Ralph William Connelly for five years until his death. She is survived by her children: Kenneth Ross Harmon (Sally) of Anderson, Sister Adrienne (Nancy Elizabeth) Harmon of Delvine, Albania, Jean Muriel Harmon of Williamston, and Paul Meredith Harmon of Bluffton; grandchildren: Meredith Harmon Hargrove (Chris) of Anderson and Andy Harmon of Anderson; great-grandchildren: Sarah Hargrove, Kathryn Hargrove, and Jordan Harmon; and brother, John Gilliam Ross of Charlotte. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 3:00 pm in Rosemont Cemetery, Newberry, SC with Rev. Joe Long and Sister Adrienne Harmon leading the services. The family will receive friends at the graveside following the service. Memorials may be made to Newberry College, Ralph W. and Dorothy Ross Connelly Scholarship. Memories and messages of comfort may be left here for the family on Dot's tribute wall. Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to assist the family.