“Faithfulness is the essence of true love” and that is exactly what Mr. J. T., and daughter, Lisa White, along with family had for their precious wife, mother, sister, and friend, Mrs. Dorthy Lee “Dot” Carter McLemore, as they waited patiently by her side on Sunday December 15, 2024, as she passed peacefully from this world and entered into her heavenly home.
A Service remembering such a wonderful lady will be held at 2 PM Friday December 20, 2024, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with family friends, Bro. Micheal Baker and Bro. Jamie Miller officiating. There will be a one-hour visitation begging at 1 PM until time of service.
Mrs. Dot was born on July 7, 1938, in Tippah County, MS, to the late Joseph Marvin and Jo Ellen Carmichael Carter. She received her education from the Beuna Vista School House, where she was a successful basketball player, and after graduation perused a career in banking, which led her to finding a job in Jackson, Ms. Mrs. Dot started out as a teller and while working her way up, Mrs. Dot was the first female Vice President to ever serve for the First National Bank. While employed with First National, she was an All-Star player on the bank’s basketball league, playing many games in Jackson. She had a deep passion for helping young people get started in life, as she always tried effortlessly to help people get approved for loans, working out a fair deal with anyone, and never turning a customer away, while always having a big bright smile on her face. As the story goes, Mrs. Dot’s friendly personality and charming demeaner caught the eye of her soon to be husband, Mr. J. T. McLemore. Often as he would come into the bank, Mr. J. T. said, “When I first saw Dot’s big, beautiful eyes and long gorgeous black hair, I knew it was love at first sight”. They had their first date on Valentines, and it was spent out to dinner and dancing the night away. On September 24, 1976, the two married and began their life together, cherishing every moment they had with one another.
After retirement, they moved to Houston, Texas, where she found a great joy being outdoors. Some of her favorite hobbies included bass fishing on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, as she was one of the best, and all things horses, for she had a deep love for horseback riding. She actually served as the 4-H leader and President of the Mississippi Paint Horse Association. Twenty-seven wonderful years spent in their lovely home of Texas, before moving back and settling down in the Tippah County Community in 1999.
A Christan and someone who was faithful to her Lord, Mrs. Dot was a member of Fellowship Church whose love for Jesus was first and foremost in her life. While she officially retired from the bank, Mrs. Dot built many friendships with the folks of Pine Valley Apartment Complex as she managed them well for nearly seventeen years. She was loved by everyone as she had a very gentle spirit, caring nature, and tender heart that overflowed with love for anyone in need. Saturday afternoons were always spent at her home, as her and the sisters would gather around the table, competitively throwing down in a fierce game of cards, while sharing many laughs and making great memories. She had a special place in her heart for her daughter and family meant the most to her. She was true to her friends and always lit up any room she was in. Most importantly she loved her husband, J. T. The two were inseparable and while in the nursing home for five years, not a day went by he wasn’t there with her. Many flowers he bought and carried, meals taken to her, and even during Covid, in the rain he stood, so he could talk to her through the window and hold her hand. Although they could only hold hands for a while, it is true to say she holds his heart forever.
Mrs. Dot cut a wide path, lived life to its fullest, and loved deeply, and although we will miss her greatly, we know she has been forever healed. Our lives are forever enriched, bright, joyous, and blessed because she lived eighty-six years amongst us, believing in us, caring for us, and loving us. We look forward to the day of the great reunion in heaven and find comfort in knowing she is their sitting at the feet of our Lord and Savior.
In addition to her husband of forty-six years, J. T. McLemore. memories will continue to be shared by one daughter, Lisa White, two grandchildren, Gunnar White (Shelby), and Harley White (Libby), her twin great grandchildren, Charlotte and Caroline White, four sisters, Joann Ohler, Mona Griffin, Pat McChaffey (Steve), and Jackie Gates (Cecil), and a large circle of family and friends.
She is also preceded in death by one stepdaughter, Lisa McLemore, two sisters, Rachel Graddy, and Nancy Dale, and one brother, Warren Gilfoy Carter.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mrs. Dot’s family.
