Ora Churchwell

Ora Lee Dickson Churchwell, age 95, of Paducah, KY, passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center.

Ora was born on July 29, 1923 to the late Leander and Bessie Kimble Dickson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, George Churchwell; her parents; five sisters, Magruder Whitson, Carmen Lomax, Thelma Dickson, Carolyn Marcum and Kira Godwin; two brothers, Roy Dickson and Jewell Dickson; an infant sibling; and her great-grandson, Christopher Bennett Wyatt.


She and her husband, George, were long-time members of Lone Oak United Methodist Church and were instrumental in the building of the new church on Highway 45. Ora served Lone Oak United Methodist Church in a variety of ways and had previously served as a teacher of the 4 year old Sunday School class.

Together, George and Ora built a thriving construction company, Churchwell Homes, Inc. Over their lifetime, they developed numerous subdivisions, neighborhoods and retail developments. As a team, they took great pride in creating homes and workplaces for people within the community they loved so dearly. A project which was near and dear to their hearts was leading the efforts to build the first St. Jude's Dream Home in Paducah, KY.

When she wasn't on the job site wallpapering, up on a ladder painting or selecting light fixtures for a home, one could find Mrs. Ora at home in the kitchen. She was an amazing southern-style cook and always found room at her table for anyone who was hungry. One of the many traditions she honored was preparing a "Sunday Lunch" after church for her entire family. She loved doting on her great-grandchildren and her two dogs, Sparky and Max.

She will be remembered by those she loved by her generous spirit and her unfailing ability to always see the best in others. She loved the Lord and faithfully spent time studying her Bible daily. Her faith created in her the enormous capacity to love, cherish and lead her family following the Lord she loved and worshipped. We will remember her as a virtuous woman.


Ora is survived by her two daughters, Linda C. Bratton of Paducah and Laura C. Alexander and husband, Wade of Paducah; her brother, O’Neal Dickson and wife, Dorothy of Waverly, TN; two grandchildren, Jennifer Churchwell McIntosh of Paducah and Christopher Jason McIntosh and wife, Jodi of Paducah ; and four great-grandchildren, Christopher Connor McIntosh, Brooklynn Paige McIntosh, Chase Thomas McIntosh and Katherine Kimble Wyatt.



The celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Lone Oak United Methodist Church with Rev. Sam Chambers officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.


Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the 1:00 pm service time on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Lone Oak United Methodist Church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donation to: St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Lone Oak United Methodist Church, 3835 Old US HWY 45 S, Paducah, KY 42003.

The Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.