Dorothy Louise Harley Spells

BARNWELL - A funeral service for Mrs. Dorothy Louise Harley Spells of Barnwell, South Carolina was held at 11:00 ante meridian, Saturday, July 20, 2024 from the Jordan Baptist Church,  2141 Jordan Road, Barnwell, South Carolina.

Sister Dorothy “Dot” Louise Harley Spells, beloved daughter of the late Ed and Lydia Harley, was born in Dunbarton, S.C. on October 15, 1928. Dot or Grandma Dot, as she was affectionately known, accepted Jesus Christ as her lord and savior and was baptized at Jordan Baptist Church in Barnwell, S.C. at an early age. She remained faithful in service and attendance to her beloved Jordan until her health began to decline.

Dot was active as an usher for many years, served on the missionary ministry and as a golden girl. She loved attending Sunday school and Bible study, and loved reading her Bible. She loved attending Jordan and when her children were growing up, she made sure they attended, too. During the time when the church congregation cleaned the church cemetery and the church, Dot was present and brought her children with her to help in the task. In later years, until her health started to decline, she, along with her daughter Diana and Sis. Gladys Brunson, took on the responsibility of cleaning the church.

She received her education in Barnwell public schools and graduated from Butler High School. Dot was employed by the Barnwell Hospital as a nurse’s aide and spent a short while working in the surgical unit. She also worked in various doctor’s offices in Barnwell for a while and worked at the Shuron plant. She took early retirement to stay at home to take care of Momma, her mother, until her mother passed. Not one to just sit around, after Momma passed Dot went to work as a housekeeper for several years.

Dot was united in holy matrimony to Robert M. Sanders in 1947, and to this union two children were born: Robert Jr., and Carolyn. Tragically, Dot lost both Robert and Robert Jr. in a house fire. Dot married again to John Spells and to this union there were five children: patricia, John C., Albert, Carnell and Diana. Dot, or Grandma Dot, will be remembered for her humility, kindness, commitment and her loving spirit.

In addition to her parents and her first husband, Robert and her son Robert Jr., Dot was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; daughter, Carolyn Neal; granddaughter, Yolanda Neal; great-grandson, Rogers Treyvond Robinson; brother, Leon Harley; sister-in-law, Marie Harley; sister, Mary Parker; and her second husband, John Spells.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Larry) Cohen, Allendale, S.C., and Diana Robinson of the home; sons, John C. Spells and Carnell (Lorine) Spells, both of Barnwell; and Albert (Doretha) Spells, Newport News, Va.; 19 grandchildren; 27 great-grands; 3 great-great-grands; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Guinyard and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.