LeNell Waldrup Dogan

Click here to view Video Memorial TributeLeNell "Nell" Waldrup Dogan,age 87, wife of the late Sheriff Ellett Rice Dogan of Tallahatchie County, died Thursday evening 12/24/2009 at her home, 400 North Franklin Street, Charleston, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Charleston, Ms. with Reverends Don McCain and Tommy Stevenson officiating.  Interment to follow in the Charleston Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Charleston, Ms. from 11:00 am until service time at 2:00 pm. Wells Funeral Home of Batesville, Ms. in charge of arrangements. Nell was born September 9, 1922 in Pope, Ms. to the late E.A and Susan Patterson Waldrup. Nell's life was full of service to her community, her beloved Tallahatchie County, and her State. Although diminutive in size, the very feminine, Nell's personality was powerful. She loved people and considered it her joyful duty to look after those in need with whom she came in contact: it could be transporting a patient to the hospital or doctor's appointment, providing food or assistance as needed, or supporting someone with a personal challenge. Nell was an integral part of community life in Charleston, Ms., concerning herself with town beautification, landscaping, Christmas lighting, and construction of a new courthouse. The First United Methodist Church benefitted by her support, attendance, and service on the Building Committee, Parsonage Committee, Memorial Committee, and the overseeing of numerous weddings and church events. She sung in the choir and taught Sunday school for over a quarter of a century. Nell believed her faith in God made it possible for her "to adapt to and meet successfully all kinds of situations." Nell was also active in the Business and Professional Women's Club (B&PW) and held several offices, including president, of that organization. Nell became the first female sheriff in Tallahatchie County history when she took office on January 1, 1964. During her tenure as sheriff, she served as secretary-treasurer of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association and was very active in that organization as well as the National Sheriff's Association. Her husband, the late Sheriff Ellett Dogan, persuaded her to run for the sheriff's office (due to then state law prohibited a sheriff from succeeding himself) to continue an 83 year tradition of Dogans in the sheriff's office. He served as her chief deputy after she defeated two male opponents by waging a house to house campaign based on her abilities and the Dogan family reputation for good law enforcement. Longtime friend, Janette Breedlove said, "Nell could do more with her tongue and a pat on the back than any sheriff with a gun!" Following her term as sheriff, her husband served four additional terms. During that time and following his death in 1991, Nell worked first in the Charleston's mayor's office and later in the sheriff's office, providing continued service, experience, and a helpful presence to all. Nell is preceded in death by her husband, Ellett Rice Dogan; parents, E.A. and Susan Patterson Waldrup; siblings, Taylor Joe Waldrup, Bea Waldrup, Lottie Waldrup Hill and Belma Waldrup Aldridge; her brother-in-law, Albert H. Dogan; sister-in-law, Mrs. Brad Dye, Sr. She is survived by her brother, James Edd Waldrup of Batesville, Ms.; sister Cornelia DeFrances (Mrs. Tony) of Baton Rouge, La.; 12 nieces and nephews, including her caregiver, Jimmy Waldrup of Batesville, Ms.; 17 great nieces and nephews and 14 great-great nieces and nephews. The family of Nell Dogan asks that anyone wishing to send memorials, to please send them to the First United Methodist Church, 110 West Main Street, Charleston, MS 38921.