Dorothy Gene Pringle, the first born child of Lee Vester Pringle and Ira B. (Reed) Pringle, was born Jan uary 19, 1946 in Lauderdale County, Meridian, Mississippi.  She was the first of seven children:

Bessie Turner (deceased)
Billy Pringle (Lois) – Fresno, California
Bobby Pringle – Meridian, Mississippi
Shirley Blanks – Newport News, Virginia
Joe Edward Pringle (Iris) – Norfolk, Virginia
Lee Pringle, Jr. – Meridian, Mississippi

Dorothy attended Wechsler Elementary/Jr. High School and Harris High School in Meridian, Ms.  In 1960 she met Clarence Stewart, Jr. whom she later married in 1965.  To this union four children were born:

Djuana Yeliese (deceased after 4 days)
April Stewart – Meridian, Mississippi
Phylicia Perry (Harden) – Jacksonville, Florida
Clarence Gerome Stewart – Atlanta, Georgia

Dorothy worked several years with the Mississippi Head Start Program while simultaneously earning an LPN and RN license.  It is while working as an RN that she developed an interest in patient care to which she would dedicate the rest of her life.  Moving to Marietta, Ga. in 1978, she started working as an oncology nurse at Kennestone Hospital, but later decided to specialize in geriatric care.  It is in the field of geriatrics that she exceled and constantly pressed those around her to adhere to a special code of concern for the patients and their families.

Dorothy served as Director of Nursing for several nursing homes and earned her Nursing Home Administrator certification.  She applied her special brand of care at Boddy Nursing Home, Shady Grove, Wesley Woods, and Ross Memorial.  Her passion, love, and care for the elderly was constantly on display during the 23 years she served with Ross Memorial Health Care – her 2nd family and a most precious love in her life.

Dorothy departed this life on September 17, 2018 after an extended illness.  Left behind to mourn her passing are her husband, Clarence; children, April, Phylicia, and Gerome; grandchildren, Thomas Summers, Elise Glickert, Hannah Perry, Michela Perry, and Christian Rackley; her siblings, and many relatives and friends.

verse from Life Owes Me Nothing

"…Life owes me nothing.  One clear morn
Is boon enough for being born;
And be it ninety years or ten
No need for me to question when,
While Life is mine, I'll find it good
And greet each hour with gratitude."

~Anonymous

A memorial service will be held for Dorothy at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 21st in the Chapel of Marietta Funeral Home, 915 Piedmont Rd., Marietta, GA 30066, 770.422.1234.  Dr. Don Mason and Dr. Al Southerland will officiate.  The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service.  An additional memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 29th  at the Forest Lawn Chapel, 7774-A Hwy 39-North, Meridian, MS 39305, 601.693.2464.  Interment will follow in the Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at https://donate3.cancer.org