CLARKSVILLE — Dora Mae Myers was born in the big yellow house on the hill through a midwife named Kathryn Rhinesmith in June 1934. The house passed to Dora’s brother Charles Marshall, who later sold the house to Dora and her husband Don about 1958.
Dora met Don through her best friend Elsie Jones. Jones was dating Don’s Navy buddy Ray Holt. Don and Holt were on leave and Jones set Don and Dora up on a blind date.
Dora says she didn’t like Don on that first date. According to Dora, he won her over one evening when he showed up in his white Navy uniform and they’ve now been married 62 years. They still live at the big yellow house in Clarksville.
From about the age of 8, Dora began to write fantasy stories. Later, she would tell amazing fantasy bedtime stories to her four children and then to her grandchildren.
Writing has always been a passion. She still keeps a journal today. She also likes to dig in the dirt and tend plants, and she collects bells, bottles, pitchers, and cups and saucers.
Don Myers is a longtime church elder. In his younger days, he was into bowling, baseball and fishing, and nowadays fishes a lot.
He was in the military between 1950 and 1955, and was stationed in California, Hawaii, Japan and Korea. Last year, he went on an Honor Flight to the nation’s capital.
Keeping up the yellow house
The couple’s grandson, Derek Peters, has organized an online fundraiser for them on “You Caring Compassionate Crowdfunding.” He commented they have recently fallen on some hard times with home heating and bathroom repairs beyond what they can handle.
Denise Rose of Clarksville said Don and Dora hold a special place in the hearts of the Rose Family.
“You can count on both of them for a hug and a smile every Sabbath. We are blessed to have them as friends and our kids are proud to call them Grandpa Don and Grandma Dora,” said Rose.
Similarly, Sherry Mohler of Port William said Don always has a smile and a friendly word.
“I’ve never seen him down in the dumps or talking negatively. He is truly a ray of sunshine. He’d help anyone and often has done just that,” said Mohler.
Dora greets Mohler at church cheerfully and sends her a note if she’s absent.
Mohler has known Don and Dora for 35 years, and said, “They are a mainstay in our small church.”
Please visit https://www.youcaring.com/donmyers-683457 if you are interested in being a donor to the couple — and helping them stay in their home on the hill.
