Mrs. Dora Lee Carlisle Stevens, 86, of Gainesville died Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. Saturday until the funeral hour.
Dora was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Stevens, a longtime employee of the Coca-Cola Company in Gainesville, and her daughter and son-in-law. Her parents were William Ray and Ellie Head Carlisle.
Saying that Dora was a loving wife, mother, sister and aunt doesn't tell the whole story. She was devoted and dedicated to her family members, and she was always there to look after their needs. She was a caregiver's caregiver.
Her daughter, Linda Stevens Collier, suffered from illnesses, including severe diabetes, most of her life. Dora was there constantly to care for her. After her daughter died, Dora cared for Linda's husband, Jim Collier, a U.S. Marine who was attacked and robbed while serving on Okinawa. Jim suffered physical and mental disabilities from which he never recovered.
During the many months her husband was ill and a patient in a nursing home, Dora took him three meals a day. She was always there when he needed her.
When Dora herself became ill with cancer and other illnesses, she refused to quit, and only in the last few weeks agreed to allow professional caregivers to stay with her. She was independent to the end, and she never complained.
Dora loved her God, her church, Riverbend Baptist, her family, and her friends. She will be missed.
Survivors include her sister, Nell English, Gainesville; brother- and sister-in-law, James and Sarah Stevens, Braselton; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will like to thank two special caregivers, Joan Cook and June Aikens.
Those wishing to make online condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, S.W., Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
