After a long and full life, Dovie Dorothy Balentine, known to all as Granny, 93, made her final journey January 10, 2013.

The daughter of Harry L. and Zephria T. Bingham, Dovie was born August 1, 1919, in Branson, Missouri, where she was raised. The oldest of 11 children, she began her lifelong commitment to tending and caring for her brothers and sisters, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many other children in the foster care system.

She moved to San Diego in 1941 where she worked for Solar Aircraft along with other "Rosie the Riveters" during World War II. She met a handsome young Marine from Arkansas, married him and spent 54 years as his devoted wife, until his passing in 1999.

She lived in El Cajon for 69 years where she was a wife, mother, homemaker and community volunteer. She was a longtime Girl Scout troop leader and adult trainer to other troop leaders. A talented artist, she specialized in oil paintings of animals, and she was a wonderful cook and seamstress.

Her favorite things included such outdoor activities as gardening, camping, rock collecting, and fishing; she liked RV traveling and collecting antiques from across the nation; she loved animals, flowers, chocolate and warm weather.

Dovie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leon Balentine, granddaughter Christy Brown, and several brothers and sisters.

She is survived and deeply cherished by her daughter Phebe Brown of Everett, WA, son Bill Balentine of Spring Valley, two sisters, one brother, five grandchildren, nine great-grand-children, two great-great-grand-children, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2pm Saturday, January 19, at the Old El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Rd, El Cajon. Please bring lawn chairs.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Voices for Children, 2821 Meadowlark Dr., San Diego, CA 92123. Arrangements are through Neptune Society of El Cajon. Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on January 16, 2013