Dovie Estelle Aschbacker

Dovie Estelle (Burnham) Aschbacker, 106, of Decatur, Georgia passed away at her home on January 4, 2018 with family by her side. Born March 1, 1911, in Sumrall, Mississippi, she was the fourth of nine children born to the late Thomas Sumpter Burnham and Zona Ellen (Clark) Burnham.

Just 17 when her mother passed away, Dovie spent nearly a decade raising four younger brothers, whom she always called her “kids.” Once they were grown, she waited tables at Burton's Diner in Jackson, Mississippi, then the state's largest restaurant, where she met her husband, Harry Aschbacker, a soldier at a nearby base, during WWII. They married in June 1943 in Canada and moved to Atlanta soon after. They spent two decades living in Kirkwood, Georgia and in 1964 moved to the Medlock Park neighborhood near Decatur. They were longtime members of Clairmont Hills Baptist Church. The Medlock Park home was where she and Harry built their memories, and they were known in the neighborhood for their manicured lawn, beautiful roses and vegetable garden. After her husband's death (1900-1985), one of her primary wishes was to remain in that house her entire life, and she did. Though they had no children of their own, Dovie was a loving matriarch to the four brothers she raised and their many children and grandchildren. People were drawn to her, in the neighborhood, at church and everywhere she went, and many called her friend. She was spunky and independent, living on her own until the last week of her life. She was kind and caring, funny and smart, and she is missed by many.

In addition to her parents, Dovie was preceded in death by her husband, Harry O. Aschbacker, and by all eight of her siblings: Clarence “Red” Burnham, Bessie May (Burnham) Pinion, Verdee (Burnham) Brock, Bernest Baker Burnham, Joseph Carroll Burnham, Robert Edward Burnham, Dewey Curtis Burnham and Earnest Burnham.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews and countless friends who considered her family.

Viewing is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018 at A.S. Turner & Sons in Decatur. A funeral service will follow at Noon, with interment immediately following at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Tucker, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Clairmont Hills Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.