of Searcy, AR

July 31, 1924 - July 27, 2024

Dora Lee Showalter of Searcy, died Saturday, July 27, 2024 four days shy of her 100th birthday. She was born July 31, 1924 in Searcy, AR where she was a 1942 graduate of Searcy High School and a longtime member of First Baptist Church.

Early in life, Dora Lee lived for a time on Searcy's court square while her grandfather was a county official. After high school graduation, she worked in the ticket booth of the historic Rialto Theater and also worked as a secretary, becoming well-known for her typing and shorthand skills. As a result of her secretarial excellence, she had the opportunity to work on the Washington, D.C. staff of U.S. Representative Wilbur Mills. Instead, she married Harry Showalter, a World War II veteran she had met from the ticket booth and found her life calling as a caring homemaker, loving wife and supportive mother.

The Showalter's built their life in Tuckerman, AR where Dora Lee delighted in raising her children and forging many meaningful and lasting friendships. They later returned to Searcy to retire. As her family grew, she took great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their ''Mimi''.

Dora Lee was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 60 years, Harry; her parents, Lee and Thelma (Moss) Price and her sisters, Henrietta (Price) Adams and Mary Ann Price.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Ken Showalter and his wife, Barbara of Searcy; her daughter, Judy (Showalter) Irwin and her husband, Jim of Little Rock; one cousin, Thelma Lee Liles; four grandchildren, Jill (Irwin) Penick and her husband, Dr. Ted Penick of Little Rock; Dr. Blake Showalter and his wife, Leigh Ann of Searcy; Brooke (Showalter) Zimny and her husband, René of Hoover, Alabama and Clark Irwin and his wife, Megan of Little Rock; eight great-grandsons, Ted Penick, Worth Penick, Price Showalter, Clark Irwin, Ben Showalter, Cole Irwin, Walker Zimny and Kurt Zimny and one great-granddaughter, Cate Penick.

A family graveside service will be held in coming days. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/searcy. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the charity of your choice.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Daniel Funeral Home
411 East Race Avenue
Searcy, AR  72145
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com