Donald "Donnie" Wesley Dozier

Mr. Donald “Donnie” Wesley Dozier, 76, of Appling, GA, passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Doctor’s Hospital, Augusta. Donnie was born on December 3, 1945 in Washington, GA to the late Lindsey and Helen (Pearson) Dozier. At birth, Donnie suffered a traumatic brain injury, and as a result, he lived his 76 years with a child-like spirit. Donnie lived at Gracewood  Developmental Center until 1975. In 1975, his aunts and uncles took turns keeping Donnie until he went to permanently live with his late aunt and uncle Berend and Rachel (Pearson) Veneklasen of Appling, GA. After the death of his aunt Rachel, Clay and Stephanie (Wilson) Veneklasen moved in to continue caring for Donnie. Donnie was surrounded by an extended family who loved and doted on him, especially his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He helped out his aunt, Judy Sanderlin, at Sanderlin’s Greenhouses for 47 years. Donnie was a faithful member of Sharon Baptist Church in Appling, GA where he served yearly as a wiseman in the church’s Hayride Through the Life of Christ for 19 years. Donnie loved to travel with his extended family and talked frequently of his trips. Donnie was known for giving the kids in the family rides on his four wheeler and giving out bubble gum to everyone he met. Donnie loved to play with trains, watch cartoons, and he loved John Deere tractors. Donnie was always full of joy and brought a smile to everyone he met. 

Donnie is survived by his guardian who was more like his brother, Clay Veneklasen and wife Stephanie (Wilson) Veneklasen, their children Jordan, Kaitlyne, Anna, and Berend Veneklasen; cousin Christie (Veneklasen) Popplewell and husband Michael Popplewell, their children Allison (Popplewell) Davis and husband Christopher Davis, and children Carson, Collin, Rose, and Madeline Davis; Adrienne Popplewell, and Evan Popplewell; and a niece, Tabitha (Dozier) Kelly and husband Lyle Kelly and their son Tres Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lindsey and Helen (Pearson) Dozier, his brother, Terry Dozier, and his beloved uncle and aunt, Berend and Rachel Veneklasen.

Funeral service, being officiated by Rev. Andy Collins, will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 3 pm at Sharon Baptist Church, 6262 Cobbham Rd. with interment following in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 pm until the hour of the service in the church. Pallbearers for the service are Evan Popplewell, Berend Veneklasen, John Pearson, Eddy Sanderlin, Bo Martinovich, and Robbie Peoples. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sharon Baptist Church Hayride Through the Life of Christ, 6262 Cobbham Rd. Appling, GA 30802. 

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