FRANKLIN - Doris Addie Kimsey Dills, 96, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 6, 2022, in her home with her family beside her. The funeral service was held Saturday, June 11 in the Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Brunswick, Georgia. Rev. Jim Crandall of Jekyll Island Baptist Chapel officiated the service. Family and friends were invited to a visitation prior to the service. A graveside service to honor Doris’ life and burial was held at the Brunswick Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday, June 13.
She was born in Franklin and was a long-time resident of Brunswick, Georgia, for 71 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sanford (Sam) Coleman Dills of Brunswick; sisters, Joyce Kimsey Nicholson Houchins and Delma Carpenter; and brother, Don Kimsey, all of Franklin. She was the daughter of the late Hester Lassie Sanders Kimsey Carpenter and the late George Leander Kimsey, both of Franklin.
She is survived by daughters; Gail Dills Williamson (Rick) of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Gwen Dills Bennett (Deryle) of Vidalia, Georgia, Glenda Dills Pickren of Brunswick, Georgia, and Gina Dills Collins (Galen James) of Brunswick, Georgia; grandchildren Brian Bennett (Martha) of Marietta, Georgia, Rebecca Bennett McCord (Adam) of Evans, Georgia, Beth Bennett Sieg (Brandon) of Quinton, Virginia, Richard (Rich) Williamson Jr. (Natasha) of Alpharetta, Georgia, Neil Pickren and Kim Pickren of Brunswick, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Ian McCord of Evans, Georgia, James, Charlotte Clare (C.C.) and Elliott Bennett of Marietta, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Grace Dills of Brunswick, Georgia, and Trella Dills, of Waynesville, Georgia; nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
Doris grew up in Franklin, where she graduated from Franklin High School in 1943 and the same year entered Rabun Gap College in Dillard, Georgia, where she majored in interior design. While in the Appalachian Mountains she worked her way through college as a member of the staff at the Dillard House Restaurant. In 1944-1945 she went to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to work at the Oak Ridge plant during the secret Manhattan Project which was the massive American, British and Canadian operation that developed the atomic bomb during WWII. She was very proud to serve her country.
She met her husband, Sanford (Sam) Coleman Dills in Franklin, in 1943. Sam served during WWII from 1943 – 1946 in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet V-12 in the South Pacific during WWII. Near the end of WWII, they were married on July 18, 1945. She was married to her beloved husband for nearly 53 years.
She, her husband, Sam, and family moved to Brunswick, Georgia, on December 23, 1951, where they were owners and operators of the White Spot Restaurant and Gas Station. Through their hard work and diligence, they built a popular restaurant that served the community for more than 25 years. During the years at the restaurant, she was the driving force that made the restaurant a success. Later, when her children were in school, while still working in their family restaurant, she became a Glynn County school bus driver for over 12 years. She and her husband also owned and operated Sam’s Pottery and Custom Draperies. She made beautiful fine quality custom draperies for many clients with homes, schools, churches and businesses in Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island and Glynn County until she retired, but continued to make draperies for her family and favorite friends. She was very well known for her talents and made untold numbers of life-long friends among her “ladies” throughout the Brunswick and surrounding areas.
She thoroughly enjoyed cooking, decorating for holidays, sewing, gardening, reading, puzzles, board games, card games, loved to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and was an avid Braves baseball fan. She was proud of her computer skills and sent emails and text messages to her family and was especially excited about ordering from Amazon at age 96!
She always said her children and family were her pride and joy and her greatest accomplishment. Her quick wit charmed everyone. She had strong faith and loved her Baptist Church. She was the finest example of a Christian woman who was a genuine Southern Lady, always gracious, kind and loving. She was a God given gift chosen especially for us, was a precious treasure to her family and the best Mother that anyone could ever have. She was our beloved Mother and our best friend. She made an enormous difference in everyone’s life that she touched. She will be remembered always and was deeply loved by her family, friends and all who knew her.
The pallbearers were Brian Bennett, Keith Dills, Scott Dills, Neil Pickren, Mike Harmon, Ronnie Harmon, Brandon Sieg and Matt Spinelli.
Our deepest gratitude to Dr. William G. Grubb and staff, Dr. Marsha Certain and staff, SGHS Wound Care Center and staff, Kindred at Home and staff, Dr. John E. Shaner Palliative Care and Hospice of the Golden Isles, and all of the nurses and technicians that loved and cared for our Mother.
Mother’s favorite color was green, attendees were invited to join the family by wearing an item of clothing or an accessory of green.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, Georgia 31525.