Dorla Cartwright

Mrs. Dorla Cartwright, age 91 of Metropolis, Illinois passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Metropolis Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home in Metropolis with Rev. Micah Spicer and Marilyn Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the Metropolis Memorial Gardens.

Dorla retired from Shawnee Development Head Start in 1993 after 20 years of service as teacher and eventually Center Coordinator, a position where she showed true devotion to her staff and students. Prior to working for Shawnee Development, Dorla was the secretary for Project Superman, a group that was responsible for facilitating Man of Steel activities in Metropolis - most notably the Superman Museum.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Metropolis her entire adult life and an Elder until she was no longer able to serve in that capacity. She exemplified a tireless commitment to the church leading worship, teaching Sunday school, participating in CWF, chairing the annual bazaar luncheon, and she was responsible for starting the Mother’s Day Out program. Her biggest joy came from singing in the church choir. She began her gift of singing at age 15 and continued with the choir at the church in Metropolis singing in cantatas, concerts, duets and solos.

An enthusiastic member of the Metropolis community for 71 years, Dorla and her husband Bill volunteered for COPE, a Christian Outreach Program Emergency food pantry for which they received the United Way Helping Hands award for their long-time dedication and service. She was also the recipient of the Superman of Metropolis Award given in the spirit of Superman, helping to make the world a better place.

She was a “fun lady” and never met a stranger. Of particular interest was her love of travel both domestic and abroad. Her goal (along with her husband) was to visit all 50 states which they almost accomplished! A trip to Prague with her oldest granddaughter Chelsea and the Mary Washington Orchestra is among her fondest memories. She loved bowling, card club, the women’s golf league and rarely missed a school activity in which one of her three children participated.

Dorla is survived by her children, Yvonne Burnett; David Cartwright and wife Amy, and Sharon Ely and husband Scott; grandchildren, Chelsea Crittenden and husband Matt, Amanda Martin and husband Bodie, Austin Cartwright, and Clayton Ely; great grandchildren, Conrad Crittenden, Cora Jane Crittenden, Rodes Martin, and William Cartwright Martin; several nieces and nephews.

Dorla was preceded in death by her parents, Leamon and Aleza (Hunsaker) Stallings; husband of 63 years, William Glen Cartwright; sister, Martha Jane Darnell; brother, James Stallings.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in Dorla’s name to First Christian Church, 420 Catherine Street, Metropolis, Illinois 62960, COPE Food Pantry, P.O. Box 761, Metropolis, Illinois 62960, or Happy Hearts Senior Center, 701 Market Street, Metropolis, Illinois 62960.

Pallbearers will be Clayton Ely, Scott Ely, Austin Cartwright, David Cartwright, and Bodie Martin.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com

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