HER STORY, HER STRENGTH, HER LOVE

HER JOURNEY

Dorothy's journey began in Colbert, Georgia, on November 14, 1943.

In 1969, Dorothy made Atlanta, Georgia, her home. There, she began another important chapter of her life, building a career, raising her family, developing lifelong friendships, and creating memories that would remain with those who loved her.

Dorothy worked for Eastman Kodak in Chamblee, Georgia, and later for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, retiring from both organizations after years of dedicated service.

Throughout her life, Dorothy remained deeply connected to her family. She treasured the people who surrounded her and could always be counted upon to offer a listening ear, a word of encouragement, a laugh, or simply her presence when someone needed her.

Her journey was not measured simply by the places she worked or the years she lived. It was measured by the people’s hearts she touched, family she raised, the friendships she built, the lives she influenced and the memories she left behind. On September 16, 2026, Dorothy's earthly journey came to an end, but an ending is not the same as being forgotten.

There are some people whose presence becomes a part of the fabric of our lives. Dorothy Geneva Ross was one of those people.

She was a woman who lived life in her own way. She was strong-willed, honest, outspoken, loving, and full of personality. If Dorothy loved you, you knew it. If she had something to say, you knew that too. She never needed to be the loudest person in the room to make her presence known. Her personality, her smile, and her laughter spoke for her.

Dorothy understood the importance of family. She believed that family should stay connected, show up for one another, and make memories together. She cherished the moments spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She enjoyed the simple pleasures that made life special. She enjoyed good food, music, dancing, playing cards, traveling, fellowship, and a good conversation. She loved being around people and had a special gift for making connections wherever she went.

A WOMAN WHO NEVER GAVE UP

Dorothy's life was filled with challenges, but she was never defined by them.

She faced life's difficult moments with determination and courage. Even when her body became tired and the road became difficult, the strength that had carried her throughout her life remained within her.

She fought until the end.

Those who knew Dorothy knew that she was not someone who easily backed down. She had a strong spirit and an unwavering determination. That same strength became part of the legacy she leaves with her family.

Her life reminds us that strength does not always mean that we never struggle. Sometimes strength means continuing forward when the road becomes difficult, loving when life hurts, forgiving when it is hard, and finding another reason to smile.

THE MEMORIES WE WILL KEEP

We will remember Dorothy's smile, her laugh, her voice, the stories she told, the meals, the gatherings, the card games, the music, the dancing, and the family celebrations.

We will remember the conversations that lasted longer than expected, the moments when she gave advice; even when it wasn't necessarily what we wanted to hear.

We will remember the way she welcomed people into her home, her sense of humor and the way she could make people laugh. And most importantly, we will remember the love she gave.

Years from now, there will be moments when someone tells a story and someone will say, “That's just like Dorothy.”

There will be a song that brings back memories, a family gathering where her absence is felt, a meal that reminds someone of her, and laughter that suddenly brings her smile to mind. That is how Dorothy will continue to live with us, through us, and in the memories we share.

A MOTHER'S LEGACY

To her children, Dorothy was more than a mother. She was a protector, provider, counselor, supporter, and sometimes the voice that told you what you needed to hear.

She worked hard and sacrificed because she wanted her children to have opportunities and a good life. Much of what she accomplished was done quietly, without asking for recognition.

GRANDMOTHER, GREAT-GRANDMOTHER & FAMILY MATRIARCH

Dorothy's heart grew even larger as her family grew.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought another kind of joy into her life. She had the opportunity to watch another generation grow, develop their personalities, and create lives of their own.

For them, she will always be a piece of their family history. A connection to the generations that came before them.

Her stories, her laughter, her photographs, and the memories shared by those who knew her will help keep her presence alive for generations to come.

A FRIEND TO MANY

Dorothy never met a stranger for long. She had a natural ability to make people comfortable and could strike up a conversation almost anywhere. Her personality allowed her to build friendships that extended beyond family. She was the kind of person who could sit down with someone she had just met and, before long, make them feel like they had known each other for years.

Her friendships were an important part of her life, and she appreciated the people who stood beside her throughout the years. To those friends, Dorothy was not simply someone they knew. She was someone they will remember.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Today we mourn because we loved. We feel the emptiness because Dorothy occupied a special place in our lives. There will be days when the loss feels heavy. There will be moments when we wish we could hear her voice one more time, see her smile one more time, sit beside her one more time, or simply tell her that we love her.

But alongside the tears, there will also be laughter, stories, photographs, family gatherings, memories that make us smile and there will always be the love that Dorothy gave us.

So today, we do not say goodbye to everything Dorothy was, we say goodbye to her physical presence while holding tightly to everything she left behind.

We carry her in our hearts, our family, our stories, the lessons she taught us and we carry her in love that will continue from one generation to the next.

THOSE LEFT TO CHERISH HER MEMORY

Daughter:Lisa Ross Smittick(Ronnie Smittick, Son-in-Law)

Son:Timothy James Ross(Keisha Ross, Daughter-in-Law)

Stepson:Edward Earl Ross Jr.(Julie Ross, Daughter-in-Law)

Granddaughters:Ronisha, Alexus, Porsha (John Mullon), Madison, Octavia, and Tiffanie

Grandsons:Charlie, Edward III, Zacchaeus, Jalen, Cedric, Jacob, and Ty

Great-Granddaughters:Nalani, Bella, Amina, and Samiyah

Great-Grandsons:Aayden and Nayden

HER FAMILY CONTINUES

Dorothy is also survived by her siblings: Arrie “Tina” Beasley, Cathy (Fred Lowery), Harriet (Lee Watson), John “Dutch” McElroy,Wyman McElroy (Adlene) along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

Her family represents generations of love, memories, and shared history. Each person carries a different memory of Dorothy. Her laughter, her smile, her strength, her words of wisdom, her sense of humor, and the countless moments that made her uniquely Dot.

THOSE WHO PRECEDED HER

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Milton, and Geneva McElroy; her former husband, Edward Earl Ross Sr.; and her siblings: Mozell Hester, Louise Looper, Brenda Rice, Mary Green, and Luke McElroy.

Though they preceded Dorothy in passing, their lives and memories remain an important part of her story.

Rest peacefully, Dorothy Geneva Ross.

Your journey on Earth has ended, but your story continues in all of us who were blessed to know and love you.

Until we meet again.