On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Dorothy Jean McBride, was called to her heavenly home. She was surrounded by her family at her home in Bronson, when the roll was called up yonder. She was born in Bon Wier, on Jan. 21, 1939 to William Wesley McBride and Laura Bea Dickerson McBride. The youngest of 3, she learned early on that if she was going to get far in life, she needed to get tough. On the exterior, she exuded gentleness and grace. Inside, there was a fierce strength of will and determination that only those closest to her could recognize. She owned and operated DJ’s Grocery for 39 years, in Bronson. That is when the world learned of her heart of gold. She’d help anyone that had fallen on hard times. Rain or shine, you could be sure that she would be attending church at Sandy Creek Baptist Church whenever those doors were opened. She had the voice of an angel, so it is no surprise that she’d always be in the choir singing praises to her savior. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working in her yard tending to her many flowers. Her favorite thing to do was watch the San Antonio Spurs play basketball.

She was preceded in death by her son, Wayland Smith; parents, Wesley and Laura McBride; and brother, R. W. McBride.

She is survived by her daughters, Allison Phillips and husband, Brad, of Iredell, and Summer Smith of Bronson; sister, Kathryn Byley of Bronson; grandchildren, Wes Wootten and wife, Lauren of Iredell. Kristen Wootten, of Iredell and Ashley Broumley and husband, Dusty of Hico. Four great grandchildren, Jordan Alley, Walker and Hunter Broumley and Dallas Wootten. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Barbara McBride of Nederland; and nieces and nephews, Sharon Byley, Kaye Stapp, and Benny Byley, all of Bronson and Bradley Byley and wife, Sybil, of Hemphill.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 1, in Sandy Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Bronson with Bro. Robert Byley and Bro. Jeff Cooper officiating.

Burial will follow services in McBride Cemetery in Bronson.

Serving as pallbearers are Wes Wootten, Jordan Alley, Brad Phillips, Dusty Broumley, Aaron Turner and Luke Byley. Honorary pallbearers are Benny Byley and Bradley Byley.