Dorothy Ruth Doran

Dorothy Ruth Doran passed away August 23, 2018 with her devoted husband of 75 years, Wilbur, by her side. She was 94.

The daughter of Herbert and Melvina Buchanan Wright of Mason Hall, she is preceded in death by her nine brothers and sisters.

Dorothy graduated from Mason Hall School as valedictorian in 1943 and later that year, she and Wilbur married on his twentieth birthday. They established a household and farmstead in Cool Springs that became a home as their family grew to include three daughters, Regina Doran Graham (Alex), Dana Doran McLendon (Richard) and Anita Doran (Andrew Straw).

A talented cook, when Dorothy wasn’t bringing friends and family together for a meal at her kitchen table, it was often the site of a domino or board game. Though she had a knack for winning, even in the years Parkinson’s began to develop, there were perhaps no three who enjoyed playing with her more than her grandchildren, Jerry Yarbrough and Jenny and Molly McLendon.

Many will remember Dorothy most as an example of faith and love in action, whether they knew her through friendship, her involvement with Cool Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church or her service to the community. Few left her company without receiving a smile, warm word or hug.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held Saturday, August 25 at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home, 239 East Main Street, Newbern, with visitation beginning at noon and memorial service at 2 p.m.

The family expresses their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of Dyer Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cool Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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