Dollie “Dot” Ware Hartley, of Clanton, Alabama, passed away on September 22, 2026. She was born February 8, 1942, in Billingsley, Alabama, to Dollie Davis Ware and Samuel Albert Ware. Dot married Melvin Hartley on September 1, 1962, beginning a marriage that would span more than 64 years. Together, they built a life centered on what mattered most to Dot-family.

Being a grandmama and great-grandmama brought her tremendous joy. Outside of her family, one of Dot's greatest joys was gardening. She especially loved her flowers and could often be found tending to them. She also dearly loved her dog, Daisy. For those fortunate enough to gather around her table, Dot’s lasagna and chocolate pie became two of the dishes the family enjoyed most.

Throughout her working years, Dot was a regional manager with Sarah Coventry Jewelry for 10 years. She started Hartland Specialties, a business that manufactured children’s accessories and infant keepsakes items. Dot worked with the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Vice President and started among others things, the SHOP Chilton Program, The Christmas Ball and The Miss Chilton County Pageant. Dot also served on Board of Directors for the YMCA, Theatre Guild and the State of Alabama Chamber of Commerce. She was a successful Realtor working for Realty South and also Hope Realty. She loved the Lord and was a member of Bethel Primitive Baptist Church. Dot's greatest accomplishment wasn't something that could be measured by a career or an award. It was the family she loved so deeply and the relationships with friends she worked so hard to keep close. One friend said that Dot had a way about her that made you want to be a little better, a little braver, and a little more of a go-getter .

Dot is survived by her husband, Melvin Hartley; her three children, Michelle Langston, Renee (Ed) Guy, and Brian (Sherry) Hartley; her sister, Sue Bailey; her seven grandchildren, Lauren (Adam) Barnes, Zach (Katie) Langston, Ashley (Spenser) Ashbaugh, Wesley (Anna) Langston, Kelsey (Trent) Jones, Jacob Hartley, and Emily (Corey) Cutts. her surviving great-grandchildren, Noah Jones, Parker Barnes, Trevor Jones, Rohan Langston, Raelynn Langston, Logan Langston, Scarlett Jones, Cooper Ashbaugh, Silas Langston, Tessa Langston, and Bennett Barnes; and her beloved dog, Daisy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dollie Davis Ware and Samuel Albert Ware; her siblings, Clyde Ware, Helen Henderson, and Sam Ware; her son-in-law, Terry Langston; her great-grandson, Eli Adam Barnes; and her great-granddaughter, Keleeci Trenity Jones.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, 1022 County Road 434, Clanton, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 2:00 with the service follow at 3:00 p.m.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Bethel Primitive Baptist Church or the Forever 14 Playground Fund.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the guest registry at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com .