Dorothy (Langham) Ryan

Dorothy Al Langham Ryan died Monday, July 19, 2021 at the age of 81. She was one of four children born to Emery Lee and Nancy Griffin Langham of Bay Minette. She attended Baldwin County High School and raised her own family in her hometown, where she worked at various positions including local drug stores, cleaners and as a church secretary, among other positions. Her family said her most important job was as a mother to her four children, as well as countless cousins and neighbors as part of a big extended family.  While there are many adjectives that can be used to describe “Ginga” - as she was known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren - some of the most often used are humble, kind, loving, generous, and selfless. She was always willing to help to anyone in need, even when she didn’t have it to share. She always put others needs ahead of her own and was never able to turn anybody down that needed a helping hand. She was generous in spirit and in deed.

Ms. Ryan was a young bride and young mother and was devoted to her close-knit family which included her four children and a host of nephews, nieces and neighbors. She truly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and would find great joy in attending their sporting and school events or any get-together. She was a member of 14th Street Church of Christ. Her children credit her with instilling the importance of attending church in each of them and she often brought along many of the neighborhood children as well.

She leaves behind a legacy of love for her four children, Diann Ryan (Al) Peavy, Carol Ryan (Jerry) Ballard, both of Bay Minette, Earnie (Martha) Ryan of Bay Minette, Eddie (Kimberly) Ryan of Bratt, FL; grandchildren, Danielle Brown, Ryan Watson, Megan Hester, Mallory Glick, Austin Ryan, Kaston Peavy; great-grandchildren, Ryder Nease, Bear Brown, Story Jean Brown, Juniper Rae Brown, Slayden Peavy, Jase Hester, Grady Hester, Dustin Watson, Peyton Watson, Jayden Watson, Maelyn Glick; and baby Ryan who will be born in January 2022 to Austin and Emily, and lifelong friend, Clarise Cook.

She is preceded in death by her parents Emery Lee Langham and Nancy Griffin Langham; and three siblings, Donald Langham, Jimmy Langham and Gloria Bell Gilliland; and Adolph Ryan, the father of her four children.

Visitation will take place 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Norris Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at noon at the funeral home, followed by burial at Bay Minette Cemetery. Brother Jerry Childs will serve as the officiant.

Pallbearers will include Kaston Peavy, Austin Ryan, Ryan Watson, Peyton Watson, Joel Bell and Bart Bell. Honorary pallbearers will include Keith Langham, Tommy Langham, Brandon Hester, Michael Glick and Bubba Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to 14th Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 694, Bay Minette, AL 36507 or Community Hospice, 1450 N. McKenzie Street, Foley, AL 36535.

Obituary written by Tina Covington

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