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Johnnie Helms Dorough, age 100, of Cordele went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, September 19, 2024. Born in Cordele, she was the daughter of the late Douglas A. Helms and Clifford Irene Parr Helms. She was also preceded in death by her husband and son, Earl Dorough and Roy Dorough and a sister, Audrey Helms Moore. Johnnie was the Matriarch of the family, loved and respected by all and was the glue that held them together. As a homemaker, she enjoyed doing all the things that “the lady of the house” took care of. She was a devoted wife, and a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and even great-great-grandmother. She enjoyed sewing and took care of the mending, “taking up, or letting out.” hemming or whatever the need was, she could fix it. She loved to cook especially her “cathead biscuits” and having her family around the table brought her so much happiness. She enjoyed gardening, and gathering and canning what she had grown. She also loved to share her bounty with others. You may also catch her slipping out to her pond to drop in a hook for a little fishing. Johnnie taught herself to play her beloved piano and she enjoyed playing and singing, if only for herself. She loved her Lord, and her church family at Bay Spring Baptist, where she sang in the choir. Johnnie is survived by her son, Douglas Earl Dorough (Judi Lewis) of Cordele; two granddaughters, Sonja (David Clauson) Strickland of Arabi and Tara (Jeff) Hayslip of Cordele; four great-grandchildren, Ryne (Shelby) Strickland, Tyler Strickland, Daniel (Taylor) Hayslip and Hope Hayslip; and one great-great-granddaughter, Xenia Carter. Funeral services will be held at 3:00  p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Service with the interment following in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends prior to the service Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements are  by Rainey Family Funeral Services. A guest register is available at www.raineyfuneral.com