Dorothy Lee Spell

Dorothy Lee Spell (née May), affectionately known to her family as “Dot”, was born on March 1, 1943 in Georgiana, Alabama to the late John Edward May and Geneva Johnson. Her mother later married William Jones and Dot eventually became the eldest of 13 children. She departed this world and went home to be with the Lord on October 30, 2025.

Once Dot and her family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio she attended the Cincinnati Public Schools, where she graduated from Central High School. Dot married Jimmie Tidmore in the early 60’s and to that union was born her only child, Kevin.

Dot accepted Christ as her Savior many years ago, attended several churches, but she has spent the majority of her years serving at New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Her family moved into the neighborhood where the church was located, shortly before its new pastor was called in 1970. Dot sang in the Pastoral Chorus and was a member of the Matrons. It was there, that Pastor Damon Lynch, Jr. introduced Dot to Donald Spell and later joined them together in marriage in his home. She and her son subsequently moved to California where he lived.

Dot worked at various jobs, including her longtime job she held until she left Cincinnati, as a salesperson at Benet's Pharmacy downtown on Garfield Place. In California, she worked as a Procurement Manager purchasing goods and services for Hughes Aircraft Company, which was sold and now goes by different names. She also worked in sales at Lane Bryant and Bullocks Department Stores. Dot was a valued employee wherever she worked.

Dot, a beautiful woman herself, had an eye for beauty and a very creative mind. Taking a cue from her mother, Dot learned how to sew when she was young, and it was a skill she used all her life. She could make skirts and dresses effortlessly. Dot could decorate and make things visually appealing, whether it was a room, a table or a wall, she knew how to make things beautiful. She collected fine

crystal, some of which she shared and some of which she displayed in her home. She had a kind and generous spirit; she made friends easily.

When Dot moved back to Cincinnati, once again she became active at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, where an entirely new group of people came to know and love her. She immersed herself in Bible Study, the Heart2Heart Women's Ministry and Book Club, and she volunteered whenever an opportunity arose to do something for the church.

Dot valued her family. Our big sister was someone we all looked up to. At the end of her life, family was what she talked about all the time. She missed being around her family and she always perked up whenever any family member came to visit her. Dot especially looked forward to having FaceTime with her son, Kevin who lives in California; that would make her day. She missed us and now we, though filled with many wonderful memories, will miss her.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, John Edward May, Geneva Jones and stepfather, William Jones; grandmother, Odis Williams; aunts, Odis Marie Mooney and Creola Brown; uncles, DeWitt Johnson, Calvin Johnson and Hiawatha Johnson; brothers, Marcus Jones, Nicholas Jones, Bobby Ray Jones, Ronnie Jones and Earl Jones; sister, Earline Jones; nephews, Kenneth P. Jones II and Earl Christopher Jones.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory: her son, Kevin (LaJoy); four grandchildren, Camille Tidmore, Channing Tidmore, Amber Tidmore and Paige Tidmore; siblings, William Jones (Carolyn), Doris Jones, Patricia Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Kenneth Jones and Jacqueline Jones; sister-in-law, Bonnie Jones (Earl, d.); uncle, Henry Johnson; nieces, Alexis Jones, Jennifer Riggins (Brandon) and Kendriand Garner; nephews, Derrick Jones, Anthony Wayne Jones, David Jones, Carlos Jones and Cory Brown; longtime friend and supporter, Donald Spell; and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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