Dorothy Carroll Groover Mings

On October 27, 2022, Dorothy (Dot) Mings went to her heavenly home after a long illness. Dot was born to Ella Mae (Barrow) Groover and Clinton Fuller Groover in Thomasville Ga. on July 18, 1925. She was younger sister to Cora Elizabeth (Groover) Billstein. She grew up in Boston GA and completed her senior year of high school in Valdosta GA. Dot attended Shorter College and while home from college met the love of her life, Tech Sgt Larry Mings (USAF). They married in 1944 in Tampa FL and Larry was soon sent to England with the Air Force. Dot boarded a train by herself and went to Illinois to meet Larry’s large and loving family for the first time. After Larry’s return to the states, following the end of WWII, they made their home in Tampa FL. Their daughter, Deborah Carroll Mings, was born in 1949 and son, Eric Lawrence Mings, in 1958. Dot and Larry were stationed in Tampa FL, Wichita KS, Lake Charles LA, and finally Savannah GA. With each move, Dot established her warm and loving home and was involved in their children’s school and activities and Larry’s home base. Larry always said Dot “was the glue that held the family together.” Larry retired from the Air Force as a Chief MSgt in 1962 and the family moved to Sarasota FL. Dot and Larry were active members of First Baptist Church of Sarasota and Dot was once again involved in their children’s activities. Dot went to nursing school and received her LPN degree in 1974. She enjoyed her nursing career for the next 18 years, working both in hospitals and private duty. Dot also volunteered at Tidewell Hospice and was recognized for 30 years of volunteer service. Dot and Larry loved to travel and went to many places around the globe. She was an accomplished seamstress, making many of her own and Debbie’s clothes over the years and creating arts and crafts which she shared with her family and friends. Dot loved to cook and entertain and enjoyed many long-lasting friendships. In 2008, Larry suffered a severe stroke and Dot went to visit him every day. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in April 2019. Larry passed away in June 2019. Their son, Dr. Eric Mings, passed away in November 2019. Dot is survived by her daughter, Debbie (Mings) Stephenson (Ken), daughter-in-law Tania (Bacon) Mings, grand children Amanda Stephenson, Natalie (Stephenson) Upton (Kyle), Sean Mings, Bella Mings, great grandchildren Avery and Davis Upton, three sisters-in-law, Berneice Donnelly, Verla Billingsley, Blondell Kern, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Dot will be deeply missed by all her family. She always was an optimist, had a wonderful sense of humor, a deep faith in God, and a deep love for her family and friends. We would like to thank the compassionate and caring caregivers of ElderCare Unlimited for their excellent care over the years and Tidewell Hospice in her final months. A celebration of the life of Dot Mings will be held at the Toale Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sarasota on Sunday, November 13, at 2:30 PM. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. The burial will be handled by Parker-Reedy Funeral Home of West Frankfort IL where she will be interred beside her husband in a family plot in Illinois. Rest in peace for a beautiful life well lived Dot, Mama, and Nana.

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Dorothy Carroll Groover Mings

October 27, 2022