Dortha Louella Roderick, 89, daughter of Francis Asbury Chancy and Emma May Brickey Chancy, was born July 13, 1918, at Fillmore. She died Aug. 5, 2007, at Houston House Nursing Center.
She married Nelson Edwin Roderick, the love of her life, Nov. 22, 1939. They were married 67 years and had three children before his death in November 2006.
In 1940, the Rodericks moved to Rayborn, where they lived until 1944. After having a sale, they moved to Fairfax. In 1950, they moved back to the Upton community and bought a farm.
Mrs. Roderick worked for 20 years at Fort Leonard Wood, where she received many awards.
She accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Hickory Ridge Baptist Church, where she was pianist for more than 50 years.
The Rodericks participated in Monday night singings, where a group of friends gathered at each other’s house to sing and play dominos.
In 1999, she was injured in a car accident. The doctors said she would never walk again. She surprised them, walking again up to a few days before her death.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Gale Eugene and Edwin Layne; two brothers, Melvin Lee and Francis Asbury; one sister, Ruth Lucile; and a great-grandson.
Surviving are her daughter, Loretta Cook of Roby; five grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Services were Aug. 8 at the Bucyrus Baptist Church with Dewayne Weber and the Rev. Wesley Wallace officiating. Burial was in the Green Mountain Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Hickory Ridge Baptist Church.
