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Martha
W. (Williams) Dorris
Martha W. (Williams) Dorris age 85, of Circleville, Ohio and formerly
of Greenville, Ohio passed away at 12:18 A.M. on Tuesday, August 7,
2012. Martha was born August 30, 1926 in Charleston, Mississippi to the
late Thomas Halyard & Lona Mae (Purvis) Williams.
Martha is survived by the love of her life, Thomas E. “Tom” Dorris whom
she married January 17, 1946; daughters & sons-in-law, Martha
Frances Dorris & Larry Bennen of Delaware, Ohio, Carmen Yolanda
“Landa” Dorris & Thomas Patrick Astley of Circleville, Ohio and
Tomi Lynn Dorris of Circleville, Ohio; granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth
Dorris-Astley; brothers, Joe Williams of Charleston, Mississippi, John
Williams of Arkansas and Jim Williams of Tennessee; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Martha is also preceded in death by a
brother, Sonny Williams; and a sister, Elizabeth Mugrage.
In 1955 Martha and Tom left the South to move to Greenville, Ohio with
their two daughters, Francy age 9 and Landa, 1. Tomi came along two
years later. It was a major change to go so far, leaving her family and
support behind her. She rose to the challenge with a sense of
adventure, vitality, and sense of humor. She never forgot where she
came from and she made sure that her daughters knew their Southern
roots. It was a heritage that made an impact on all of them.
As a young woman in rural Mississippi, she had wanted to become a
nurse. She did not have that opportunity, but she carried the desire to
help others with her always. She made a point of giving a hand wherever
she could and she enriched many lives with her Southern Fried Chicken,
award winning pies, and other down home favorites. Martha was a warm
and loving person that even casual acquaintances would characterize as
“the sweet one.”
Despite the damages that time inflicted on her body, she never wanted
to stop helping and participating. She fretted because she could not
cook as she once did and she had to be reminded often to let others
help her reach high shelves or carry dishes to the table. The one thing
that never left her was her loving nature. She once said she knew her
time was limited. She said,”While I am still here, with what time I
have, I just want to love you all the very best I can.” You did, Mom.
You did.
Martha was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Greenville.
She was known for her spirit, vitality, sense of humor and love for her
family.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 10, 2012
at the First United Methodist Church 202 West Fourth Street Greenville
with Pastor Joe Payne officiating. Entombment will be at 11:00 A.M. on
Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Kingwood Memorial Park in Lewis Center,
Ohio. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 9, 2012 from
6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville and
Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the church. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box
758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675. Condolences for the family may be
expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
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