Mrs. Helen Marie Lemons Dolan, 100, of Murray, KY passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 at The Anna Mae Owen Hospice House in Murray, KY.
Helen was born 7/31/1921 in Bales, OK to Alma Bauman Lemons and Walter Lemons. She is survived by her children, Marguerite Wheless of Clovis, CA and Juanita Bandarra and husband George of Murray, KY; grandchildren Deborah Mancillas and husband Gilbert of Veneta, OR, Jon Wheless and wife Cristina of New Braunfels, TX, David Wheless of Corvallis, OR, Shalisha Holloran and husband Bill of Murray, KY, Rachelle Tate and husband John of Eads, TN, Gina Stockwell and husband Toy of Murray, KY, Nicole Reynolds and husband Nick of Murray, KY; 17 great grandchildren; and 10 great, great grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Joseph Dolan; her parents Walter and Alma Lemons, as well as, her brothers, Clyde, Walter Ray, and Elmer.
Born a century ago in the cotton fields of Oklahoma she was a force of nature. From the time she could walk she was always the caretaker of someone whether they liked it or not. That would include her brother, Elmer, whom she loved fiercely. They were both daredevils and partners in crime. She was quick witted, tenacious, stubborn, and determined and that’s how she made it to 100. As Psalms 90:10 – “The span of our life is 70 years or 80 because of special mightiness” and she was ‘mighty special’. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses October 1, 1938 and lived her life in faithfulness to Jehovah. She helped countless people learn about the Bible. She would give you the shirt off her back but better yet she’d whip you one up on her sewing machine. I don’t believe there is anyone she knew she hadn’t used her excellent seamstress skills to make something or repair something for them. Her pantry was always full and I’d dare you not take food or anything else she offered you. She worked hard at whatever she did and usually mastered it … from picking cotton, helping to provide for her family, making clothes, decorating cakes, cleaning her own pool and gutters well into her 80’s, and using her IPad (excuse me 2 ipads) and Zoom meetings like a boss until just a month ago. There’s never been anyone like her and we look forward to seeing her again in all her strength and might and letting her finish training all of us her varied and multiple skills. She will be missed!
A zoom memorial service is set for Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 3 PM CST. The link to join the zoom memorial is
Meeting ID: 839 8276 9727 and Passcode: 2148318.
Please join family and friends in honoring the life of Mrs. Helen Marie Dolan by visiting www.imesfh.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Imes Funeral Home & Crematory, downtown Murray is entrusted with caring for the family of Mrs. Dolan.