Doris Strong George

Doris Strong George, 84, of Atlanta and formerly of Moultrie, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, at Emory University Midtown Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Mother Easter Baptist Church, 1400 W. Central Ave. Burial will follow in Strong Memorial Cemetery with J. Bernard Braswell, Bobby Cobb, William “Billy” Carroll, A.K. Daniels, Robert Albritten, James Griffin, Michael L. Fowler Sr., Ben Hatcher, Haryl Richardson, James A. Tatum, James K. Gatlin and Antonio D. Harrington serving as pallbearers.

She was born on June 11, 1929, in Moultrie, the eldest daughter of Oliver J. and Vernita Biggs Strong, founders of Strong Funeral Home. She was educated in the public schools of Moultrie, graduating as valedictorian of her class. She attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., and received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education, with honors, from Albany State College. She continued her studies at the University of Chicago, where she earned a Master of Arts in guidance counseling. She also graduated from the Atlanta College of Mortuary Science.

She began teaching at the former Charlie A. Gray Elementary School in Moultrie and during her teaching career was honored as Teacher of the Year, Regional Teacher of the Year, P.T.A. Worker of the Year and Parent of the Year.

Upon the death of her father, in 1967, she resigned her teaching position and took over the family business, as she was already a licensed funeral director and embalmer. She operated Strong Funeral Home and other affiliated businesses for 40 years.

She was a charter member and served as the first president of the local NAACP, serving for two years, said Isabella Brooks, current chapter president. She also held memberships or leadership positions in a variety of civic organizations including the D.Y.W.Y.K. Club, the Coterietts, the G.T.E.A., the N.E.A., the Georgia Funeral Services Practitioner Association, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and Epsilon Nu Delta Fraternity. She was also a member and had served as president of the Epsilon Mu Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

George became a member of Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Moultrie, at an early age. She had served as Sunday school teacher and on the Steward Board and Board of Trustees. Later, she transferred her membership to Mother Easter, where she served in the Evelyn Kendrick Missionary Circle. When she moved to Atlanta, in later years, she joined the Ben Hill United Methodist Church, where her son-in-law, served as senior pastor and her daughter, Karell, served as First Lady.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Pat Dixon Sr., the father of her children; her second husband of more than 33 years, Stine P. George; and her sister, Emma Jaye Strong Clarke.

Survivors include her daughter, Vernita Karell Winn and husband the Rev. Richard D. of Atlanta; a son, Pat Dixon Jr. and wife Judge Myra of Atlanta; a step-son, Reuben Stine of Savannah, Ga.; three grandchildren, Richard Don Winn Jr. and wife Jamaila, Kyra D. Dixon and Pat D. Dixon, all of Atlanta; two great-grandchildren, Robbie D. Winn and J’Adore D. Winn of Atlanta; brother-in-law, William E. George Jr. and wife Ruthie Mae of Metter, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Margaret L. Jackson of Covington, Ga.; two nephews, Xaiver Todd Clarke of West Plano, Texas and Kyle A. Clarke of Detroit, Mich.; a special niece, Carolyn Wesley; one aunt, Shirley Biggs Litman of Albany, Ga.; an uncle, Robert Biggs and wife Willa of Rochester, Mich.; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., today, Dec. 12, at Strong Funeral Home, 201 Fifth Ave. N.W.

Strong Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please leave condolences to the family at www.moultrieobserver.com.