Dorothy Ann McClure

Dorothy "Dot" W. McClure June 28, 1926- July 30, 2015 Columbus, Georgia- Dorothy Watson McClure, 89, died on Thursday, July 30, 2015, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at St. Luke United Methodist Church with internment at Parkhill Cemetery. Dr. Hal Brady and Rev. Robert Beckum will officiate. A visitation will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Monday, August 3, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Mrs. McClure was born June 28, 1926, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the daughter of Joseph Horton and Nell Caldwell Watson. She was educated in Jacksonville Beach public schools and was a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in theatre and drama. It was in Athens, Georgia, that she met her future husband, Charles Alfred (Chuck) McClure. She and Chuck were married on September 20, 1947 and began their lives together based on a strong Christian faith and a desire to help others. They moved to Columbus in 1953 where he later established McClure Broadcasting Company and Cherokee Broadcasting Company, a network of several radio stations and a television station. Mrs. McClure immediately became involved in community activities by joining a group that founded the Columbus Little Theatre in 1956, where she performed on stage and taught drama classes to young aspiring students. In 1964 she and her husband were part of the small group of arts patrons who worked together to help save the old Springer Opera House (built in 1871), which was scheduled for demolition. The renovation was completed in 1965 and later became the State Theater of Georgia. From that moment on, she has been a "cheerleader" and driving force in the continuing efforts to renovate and vitalize the Springer. She was an original trustee and served as chairman, but the Springer Theatre Academy and the Springer Children's Theatre were closest to her heart. Best known as "Dot" to those who knew and loved her, she was the center of attention at events during the summer Springer Academy called "Dot Days." On "Dot Days," she would sit on the stage wearing her yellow polka dot-"Dot" hat and recall the history of the theatre and how close it came to being destroyed by a wrecking ball. She influenced generations of young Academy students and her life of purpose will live on for many years to come within the Springer community. In 2008, she made a substantial contribution to kick off a capital campaign to build a dedicated theatre for children's programming and an education center for the Springer Theatre Academy. In November, 2014, the new McClure Theatre opened as a cultural destination in Columbus and is known simply as "The Dot." She had a life history of service and generosity…she savored life and left a legacy. In addition to her work at the Springer, she held many other positions and was honored for her work in the arts. She was appointed to the Georgia Council for the Arts and the Humanities by Governor Jimmy Carter, the Advisory Committee of the Kennedy Center by President Jimmy Carter, served as a trustee of the Historic Columbus Foundation, named to the Advisory Council of Georgia Public Broadcasting by the Georgia Department of Education, served on the State Advisory Committee for Women of Achievement, and was the first woman to serve on the Civilian Military Council in the tri-city area. Mrs. McClure also received the Governor's Award in the Humanities, was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Georgia, and was named chairman of the Georgia Council for the Arts and Humanities by Georgia Governor George Busbee. She was also the first woman to receive both the Columbus Woman of the Year by the Columbus Business and Professional Women's Club and Woman of Achievement by the Bi-City Business and Professional Women's Club in one year. She has also been the recipient of the Girl Scouts' Women of Distinction award, was a member of the Gracious Ladies of Georgia, and was honored by Columbus State University for her philanthropic contributions. She was a supporter of St. Francis Hospital, a volunteer for many years at the Lake Rabun Educational Foundation fundraising events, an active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, and a member of the PHALO Study Club, Country Club of Columbus, the Big Eddy Club, and the Chattahoochee River Club. She and her husband loved their time at Lake Rabun in Lakemont, Georgia, and she continued to enjoy their home there with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Charles A. McClure. Survivors include her children, Peggy (Mark) Moore of Canton, Georgia, and Charles (Carol) McClure, Jr. and Joe (Gail) McClure, of Columbus, Georgia; grandchildren, Matt (Beth) Rogers of Canton, Georgia; Andy (Heather) Moore of Macon, Georgia; Christian Moore of Nashville, Tennessee; Christopher (Erin) McClure of Boise, Idaho; Jennifer (Mark) Jackman of Charleston, South Carolina; and Faulkner (Ryan) Thor and Charles (Missy) McClure III of Columbus, Georgia; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Emily Watson Bryan of Clearwater, Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to all her caregivers for the loving, compassionate care that they gave Mrs. McClure. Memorials may be made to the Springer Theatre Academy, St. Luke United Methodist Church, or to a charity of your choice.