Dorothy Jean "Dot" Burnham Dearing was born in Ellisville, MS, on August 10, 1927, to George Luther Burnham and Eli Vashti Hough Burnham. She was raised from the age of 2, after the death of her mother, by her father and stepmother Delphia Eran Robinson Burnham, the only mother she remembered. She died surrounded by family on January 21, 2020, in Dallas, TX.
After graduating from Jones County Agricultural High School in Ellisville, MS, Dorothy attended Mississippi College Gilfoy School of Nursing, Clinton, MS, and Mississippi Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, Jackson, MS. She received her RN degree in 3 years through the US Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII. It was there she met her husband Marion Francis "Jack" Dearing. They were married in 1947. Dorothy worked as a registered nurse throughout her life: at hospitals around the country where Jack was stationed with the military during the Korean Conflict; at Mississippi Baptist Hospital; and then as the nurse for Dr. E.D. Reynolds' clinic in Clinton, MS, until her retirement. In all, Dorothy made a difference in many people's lives, helping care for them for over 35 years. Dot and Jack spent most of their married life living in Clinton raising 3 daughters.
Dorothy was a member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Clinton, MS. She was also a charter member of Shady Oaks Country Club, Jackson, MS, where she was an avid golfer. She was a member of the Clinton Garden Club, had a special love for cooking and entertaining, and enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family on their houseboat in the summers. After retirement, Dorothy moved to Dallas, TX, and spent her time playing golf, line dancing, attending water aerobics, working jigsaw puzzles, and enjoying her family.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Lt. Colonel M.F. (Jack) Dearing, her parents, and 3 siblings: brother J.V. Burnham, and sisters Virgie Burnham Davis and Maxine Burnham Souther. She is survived by her daughters: Wanda Singletary and husband Larry of Midland, TX; Jackie Stevens of Franklin, TN; and Kathy Fernandez of Dallas, TX. Grandchildren of "Granny" are: Brian Singletary and wife Taffy of Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia; Kelly Hammontree and husband Shay of Midland, TX; Jackson Stevens of Franklin, TN; Rob Stevens and wife Whitney of Chattanooga, TN; Christopher Howard, Allison Howard, and Daniel Fernandez of Dallas, TX. Seven great grandchildren include: Emma, Lora, & Prathibha Singletary; Ethan, Logan, & Hudson Hammontree; and Pharaoh Howard Jones. She is also survived by her sister, Doris Lee Burnham Denson, and numerous nieces and nephews of the Burnham and Dearing families.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 22, 2020, from 10:30 to 12:00 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home, Clinton, MS. Graveside service will follow at 12:30 at Clinton Cemetery, Clinton, MS. Arrangements are under the direction of Wright & Ferguson.