Dorothy (Currier) Chrisman

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Biography

Dorothy Currier Chrisman was born in Big Bend, Oregon, on August 27, 1925 to Robert H. and Nina Wiseman Currier. She spent her youth in Grants Pass and Klamath Falls, Oregon. She completed her B.S. degree in Physical Education and Health from the University of Oregon in 1947. Dorothy became a faculty member in the Physical Education Department at Berea College (Kentucky) in 1950, where she taught physical education, modern dance, and health. She married John D. Chrisman, a Berea College music faculty member, on May 31, 1952. They had five children (Martha 1954, Richard 1956, Charles 1957, James and John -- twins 1961). During the 1950's and 60's, Dorothy was the sole proprietor of Chrisman Awnings, manufacturing and installing canvas products. In 1978, Dorothy developed a program to offer older people a better quality of life through gentle exercises choreographed to beautiful music. The Body Recall program grew from an exercise class for retired Bereans to a lifetime fitness program serving adults of all ages, youth, and special needs populations in 31 states. She was the author of the text, Body Recall: A Program of Physical Fitness for the Adult, and Smart Moves to Lifetime Fitness, designed for school children. Mrs. Chrisman received The Berea Chamber of Commerce Woman-of-the-Year award in 1980, the Woman of Achievement award from the Berea Business and Professional Women's Club in 1981, and The Berea College Service Award in 1997. Dorothy was also a Berea Lion's Club Citizen of the Year and an honorary Kentucky Colonel. She was a longstanding member of Union Church, and also attended the Berea United Methodist Church, where she was a member of a weekly Bible study. She was an energetic and creative woman, a gracious hostess to many friends, relatives, and Body Recall students, and an enthusiastic gardener.

Sources

• Dorothy Chrisman on Find A Grave
• "United States Census, 1930," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XC9V-MDB : accessed 16 January 2015), Dorthy Currier in household of Robert Currier, Beatty, Klamath, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0004, sheet 2B, family 39, line 76, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1945; FHL microfilm 2,341,679.
• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRRY-M8D : accessed 14 February 2017), Dorothy Curriere in household of Nina Curriere, Ward 2, Klamath Falls, Klamath Falls Election Precinct 10, Klamath, Oregon, United States.
• marriage record of Dorothy Currier and John Chrisman, 1952