Leola Dismukes

May 31, 1916 – October 14, 2015

Service

Friday, October 16, 2015
Lie In State: 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Nelson & Sons Memorial Chapel
824 Lipscomb Street, Shelbyville, Tennessee

Saturday, October 17, 2015
Lie In State: 11:00 A.M.
Eastern Star Golden Circle Program: 11:30 A.M.
Family Visitation: 12:00 Noon
Funeral Service: 1:00 P.M.

Berry Chapel AME Church
169 Elm Street North
Lynchburg, Tennessee  37352

Interment
Highview Cemetery
Lynchburg, Tennessee

Leola Dismukes was born on May 31, 1916 and departed this life on October 14, 2015. She was born to the late Jesse and Gertrude White Green Daniel. She was married to Curtis Dismukes in 1943. They celebrated over 50 years of marriage until his death. She was lovingly referred to as “Mama Dill” to all who adored her.

She worked as a housekeeper, cook for Highview School and a cook for Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. She was also a housekeeper for the late Mr. Jimmy Tolley and Mrs. Margaret Tolley for over 57 years. They remained the best of friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Dismukes, grandsons J.B. McGowan, Jr. “J.J.,” and Bobby “Bert” McGowan, three brothers, Hiriam “Ham” Daniel, Jessie Daniel, Jr., Carl Shelton “Zeke” Daniel, and five sisters, AnnaBelle Green Eady, Helen Daniel, Alberta Daniel, Minnie L. Green and Hortense Horton.

She is survived by her twin sons, J.B. McGowan, Sr. (Nellie) and L.B. McGowan (Barbara) from Lynchburg; one sister, Nellie Mae Smith from Nashville TN, eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, three nieces, a nephew, as well as a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, including her very dear friend Jewell Wells. Special thanks to Dr. David McCauley in Fayetteville, Tennessee and Lynchburg Nursing Center Staff.

She was a beloved and dedicated member of Berry Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. She served in various capacities in the church and local civic organization. They included: Member of Steward Board; Past President of Stewardess Board; Women’s Missionary Society – President for 50+ years; Past President, Church Choir; Church Custodian – 8+ years; Member of Local and Conference Lay Organization; Conference Delegate; Member of The Order of Eastern Star Golden Circle and White Dove Assembly No. 185 Worthy Matron in Tullahoma TN; Active Member of Moore County Senior Citizens.

She had received several honors in her life for her dedicated service. They include: Phenomenal Woman: Christian Service Award; Senior Citizen of the Year; Outstanding Lay Person of the Year (Local); Outstanding Lay Person of the Year (Area); Queen Representative for the Women’s Missionary Society; NAACP-Murfreesboro Branch Jerry Anderson Humanitarian Award.

“Mama Dill’s” life spanned over nine decades of spreading hospitality, love and service to her family, friends, neighbors and community, as well as her commitment to attending church conferences and praising the Lord. She will always be remembered for her joyful zest for life. She never met a stranger and had a smile that was infectious. Your life was forever inspired by knowing her. “Her presence will be missed; her absence will be felt.”