Mrs. Dorothy Belle Ryan McLemore

Dorothy Belle Ryan McLemore, age 84 of Plains, passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. A funeral service will be held 10:00 A.M, Friday, May 30, 2025 at Plains Baptist Church. A visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment will follow the service at Lebanon Cemetery. Rev Buck Kenny will officiate the service. Dorothy Belle Ryan McLemore was born on Tuesday, March 11, 1941, in Sumter County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Clarence Burdelle Ryan and the late Agnes Elizabeth Irene Marshall Ryan. After David Hazzard McLemore, Jr. met Dorothy Ryan for the first time, he knew he would marry her and 9 short weeks later, she became the beloved wife of David Hazzard McLemore, Jr. They were married on August 18, 1961, at the groom's family home in Plains, Georgia. After losing her own mother at the young age of 22 months, she truly cherished her role of being a mother to 4 wonderful children; Dale Eugenia McLemore Chapman (David), Buena Vista, Georgia; David Wylie McLemore (Delores), of Kathleen, Georgia; Annette McLemore Evans of Columbus and David Hazzard McLemore, III (Tiffany) of Americus, Georgia. In addition to her children, Memaw is survived by her 12 beloved grandchildren; Matthew Ryan Evans (Kimberlie), Megnon McLemore Smith (Joyce), Candice Chapman Wilson (Bryan), Courtney McLemore Garcia (Jimmy), Christopher Chapman (Candice), Benjamin McLemore (Megan), Caleb Chapman (Hunter), Elizabeth McLemore Castaneda (Pablo), Holly McLemore, Allie Bingham (Cody), Ian Ellenberg, Ross Ellenberg and her 22 treasured great grandchildren, Josalyn Sizemore, Chasely Garcia, Newton Evans, Daniel Chapman, Sophia Evans, Ryleigh McLemore, Gabe Garcia, Roxanne Thorn, Addie McLemore, Maddie Chapman, Kelsey McLemore, Ellie Wilson, Barrett Thron, Jaxon Thron, Samson Chapman, Jack Wilson, Clara Chapman, Abigail Bingham, Hadley Chapman, Braelynn Bingham, and Elias Castaneda. She was affectionately known in the community as "Miss Dot." She was a faithful member of Plains Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, GA'S, and VBS, and loved to sing in the choir. She crocheted countless afghans during her lifetime and took great pleasure in giving her hand made treasures to others. She shared her talents, humor, and joy with everyone she crossed paths with. She will be missed greatly by all those blessed to know her. She loved to work in her garden and was admired for her gorgeous roses and mums. She enjoyed fishing, especially when trying to participate in a friendly competition to out fish anyone brave enough to accept the challenge. She took great delight in her church family and church suppers; she was a wonderful cook and was well known for her fried chicken, mashed potatoes, squash balls, buttermilk biscuits, banana pudding, and chocolate pies. She worked in Americus at Manhatten Shirt Company for 20 years and later Davidson Textron for 23 years. She is survived by a brother, James Ryan, Blacksheer, Georgia, and a sister, Charlotte Wilkes of Andersonville, Georgia. Mrs. Dorothy was also predeceased by her 6 brothers; Eddie Ryan, Clarence, “ Jr” Ryan, Donald Ryan; Paul Ryan; and Michael Ryan; 6 sisters, Betty Crawley, Roberta Brock, Rosemary Coker, Mary Preskitt, Debbie Lee, and Carolyn Cromer, her son-in-law Newt Evans and grandson Eli Gunner.

Mrs. Dorothy Belle Ryan McLemore

March 11, 1941 - May 26, 2025