Dorla Mae Sorrell

Dorla Mae Sorrell has joined the Angels at age 92. Born August 30, 1930 in Scott City, Kansas near the Colorado border to Fred & Elsie Yoder, she was the oldest of 3 children. Most of her youth was spent in St. Louis attending school with idyllic summers around Dickson, Tennessee. Her high school years were in Kingston, Tennessee because her father was employed at the nearby Oak Ridge facility.

In the summer of 1947 the family moved to Miamisburg and resided in “Trailer City” in an area owned by Art Sorrell, who was destined to become her father-in-law. It was here in July 1947 that she met Billy Ray Sorrell when Dorla went to the Sorrell residence seeking the use of a phone or directions to Miamisburg High School so she could register for her senior year. Ever the gentleman, Bill offered to drive her to the high school. Their first date quickly ensued to see “Miracle on 34th Street”. Both were smitten.

Dorla graduated from Miamisburg in June 1948 and 2 weeks later wed Bill at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Miamisburg.

Bill was managing Miamisburg Mills, Inc for his father Art at the foot of Stoney Hill on West Linden Ave. Their first of 3 sons arrived in November 1949, followed by a second son in 1952 and their final son in 1955. They were named Doug, Dave & Steve by their Great Aunt Nancy.

Dorla’s greatest renown arrived in the early 1960’s at the behest of Bill when she opened “The Western Shop” at 1 S Main Street in Miamisburg. The store soon occupied a second room and a dirt cellar where saddles were offered for sale.

She used to say “Bill was the Chief and we were the Indians”. True to form and always pursuing ideas to better support the family, Bill purchased the shuttered Plaza Theatre in the Spring of 1969 from the Weaver family and set about making the building usable as a retail store. On November 1, 1969 The Western Shop moved to its new location at 33 S Main and became “Sor-Rell’s”. Eventually all 3 sons joined the family store, each with their personal expertise and skill set.

While Bill was the head of the family enterprises, Dorla was the heart, always kind, caring and eager to meet people. Dorla loved people and that endearing spirit was returned by all whom she met. In 1968 Dorla was honored as Miamisburg’s Sesquicentennial Queen.

The late Reverend Ed Puff often shared in his services “When a person dies, a library burns down”. That is certainly the case here.

Dorla is preceded in death by her parents Fred & Elsie Yoder, loving husband Bill, son David (Sherry) and brother John.

She is survived by her brother James Yoder of Cocoa Florida, sons Doug (Diana) Sorrell and Steve (Melissa) Sorrell, grandsons JD (Justin Douglas) Sorrell and Tyler Sorrell, step-granddaughters Marie Trsinar and Heather Craft, step great-grandchildren Zach Hoke and Ashley Hoke, plus numerous cousins.

Dorla was a great story-teller and in her final days, still mentally sharp as ever, she shared a few of those stories with family and visitors.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11 AM – 1 PM on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Trinity Church, 203 E. Linden Ave., Miamisburg. Funeral services will follow at 1 PM with Rev. Dr. Joel Getts and Rev. Jerry Vaughn officiating. Final resting place will be at Hillgrove Cemetery, Miamisburg. Services entrusted to GEBHART-SCHMIDT-PARRAMORE Funeral Home, Miamisburg.

In lieu of flowers feel free to make a donation to the Plaza Theatre or to Shriners Hospital.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.gebhartschmidtparramore.com