A gracious and beautiful Southern lady, Ruth Reynolds Dobbs McDonald died at home on April 17 at the age of 93. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother who gave generously of herself to her family, she was a loyal benefactress of the many cultural, healthcare, educational and religious organizations which she supported through her philanthropy.
The daughter of George and Josephine Reynolds, she was born in Savannah in 1919. After her family’s move to Atlanta, she graduated from Girls’ High School. She and her next-door neighbor, Henri Talmage Dobbs, Jr., met and became sweethearts, and were married for 50 years until his death in 1989. Mr. Dobbs, Chairman of the Board of Life of Georgia, was instrumental in guiding the company to its position as one of the nation’s largest and most respected insurance firms. In 1994, she married Morris McDonald who died three years later.
Dedicated to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Dobbs provided funding for the Talmage Dobbs, Jr. Chapel, named in memory of her late husband. The High Museum of Art, where she was a member of the Director’s Circle, and Fernbank Museum, on whose Board of Directors she served, benefited from her generosity. An active volunteer the Atlanta History Center in her formative years, she continued her support as a prominent benefactor. A patroness of Shepherd Center, she was an Honorary Chair of the Center’s annual Legendary Party. At Georgia State University, she endowed the Finance Chair in memory of Talmage Dobbs, Jr. and has long supported programs at Young Harris College. As Honorary Chair of the Overture Gala, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center acknowledged her contributions to the arts. She was a member of the Capital City Club.
Mrs. Dobbs was pre-deceased by her daughter Joan Dobbs White. She is survived by her children H. Talmage Dobbs III (Georgia), Nancy Dobbs and Ruth Dobbs Anthony (Tom). She will be very much missed by her grandchildren: Claire Dobbs, Hank Dobbs (Sabrina), Payton Dobbs (Catherine), David R. Dobbs, Reynolds White, Chris Wooster (Eva), Carter Clark (Diane), Lauren Blankenship, Austin Bryant, Gena Bryant, Leslie Bryant, Kaitlin Anthony, Alexandra Anthony and Daniel Anthony. Her great-grandchildren are Katelyn Dobbs, Landon Dobbs, Quinton Clark, Grayson Clark and Eva Wooster. The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, Lucile Richardson, Comeal Smith, Irene Pope and Lucie Dixon.
The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, April 21, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Patterson’s Spring Hill at 1020 Spring Street. The service for Mrs. Dobbs will be held on Monday, April 22, in the Dobbs Chapel of Trinity Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Joanna Adams and the Rev. Pam Driesell officiating. A private family interment will take place afterward at Westview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309, or to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30327, or to the charity of one’s choice.
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