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Melinda Murphy Dollar, 68, of Bainbridge, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2024. 

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Humphries officiating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 1030 Boxwood Drive, Bainbridge, GA 39819. 

Melinda Ann Murphy was born November 4, 1955, in Oklahoma, the daughter of Walter & Mary Rule Murphy. She was a graduate of Griffin High School (Griffin, GA) and earned degrees in education from the University of Georgia and Valdosta State University. She retired from Decatur County Schools as a classroom teacher at John Johnson Elementary School. Melinda was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church.  

Melinda was a no-nonsense person. She expected you to be your best and often pushed you to find those limits. Her students described the hard bargains in the same breath as how much she adored them. Her time in the classroom was not only about her students, but the many young teachers she mentored throughout her career.

She enjoyed fishing, tending her plants, and decorating. Her collection of decorative plates left no occasion unaccounted for. As an avid reader, Melinda could talk books of most any genre. Friends, family, and especially her students had no doubt how she felt about those Georgia Bulldogs. She was most proud of her grandsons who held the keys to her heart.

Survivors include her sons, Joe Dollar of Bainbridge and Eric Dollar of Tallahassee; her grandsons, Gambler, Benji, and Cash; and her siblings, Charlie Murphey (Elizabeth) of Monroe, LA, Tommy Murphy (Gabby) of Atlanta, and Mike Murphy (Sally) of Charlotte, NC. In addition to her parents, Melinda was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Joseph Cary Dollar, Sr., and her sister, Kathy Terrell.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)