Dorothy H. Lauderback

On June 3, 2009, Dorothy H. Lauderback, 83, passed away at a local hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Ruby Beene Lauderback; brothers, Reynolds and Kenneth Lauderback; sisters, Viola Lauderback, Betty Garner and Clara Ayers. She is survived by her sister, Robbynell Johnston of Cleveland; nieces: Patricia Thomason (John), Wilma Ownby (Dean), Connie Woods (Bobby), Angela Blair (Chase) all of Cleveland; nephews: Charles Lauderback (Iva Dell) of Grey, TN, Ray Lauderback (Debra) of Cleveland; brother-in-law, James L. Ayers of McDonald and several great nieces and nephews. She retired from the accounting department of Illinois Bell Telephone in 1991 after 43 years of service. She was a member of North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago, IL for 52 years before moving to Cleveland in June 2007. She was a very active member, starting in the singles young adult group, serving as an usher and greeter and then a deacon from 1971-1976. She was a longtime member and leader of the Women's Circle and traveled the world as a church delegate to the Baptist World Alliance. She was one of many Pastoral Partners who kept a neighborly watch on approximately five members and friends of North Shore. While there, she participated in various official church leadership roles; at one point she was board secretary. She chaired the Human Resources task Force for a number of years, served as an officer of the church in the capacity of Assistant Treasurer and Church Treasurer in the early nineties on to the year 2000. In her capacity as church officer, she faithfully came to church every Monday morning to help count the offering and to accompany the Financial Secretary to the bank. Adding to these church activities, Dorothy was known as Miss Dorothy' by her third grade Sunday School Class. She was also co-teacher for the Yes, But' Class. She was church school superintendent at one point. She was the esteemed winner of the "Renaming of Sunday School Contest" now known as "Adventures in Learning". She also gave some of her time to the Gang Ministry and spent afternoons tutoring in the After School Program. To sum up Dorothy's life it would be a life of service at work in the church and in her private life. She was pulled in many directions but was never too busy to say hello'. In her private life, she extended this notion of service to her neighbors, taking them grocery shopping, driving and whatever else she was called to do. She was one of the top solicitors for the Family Matters Walkathon. She was a longtime member of the Women's Auxiliary at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and also known to be an avid gardener, who shared her harvest and cut flowers with others. She spent many afternoons planting flowers and greeneries on the church grounds. Dorothy was a wonderful example of what a servant ought to be. Serving God willingly in all aspects of life, she was a servant who served with honor and pride and did not expect anything in return. Presently she was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and attended until her failing health. Funeral services will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. Friday, June 5, 2009 in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with the Reverend Rusty Langford officiating. Interment will be at 11:00 A. M. Saturday in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery with Dean Ownby, Bobby Woods, John Thomason, Chase Blair, Charles Lauderback and Andrew Blair serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. Her family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home prior to the service.