"The righteous care for the needs of their animals…"  - Proverbs 12:10

Dorothea Nell Cooper Fail, "Dot," joined her beloved husband of 57 years, Charlie Fail, in
heaven on Friday, April 28.

Graveside services will be held at 4:00 PM on Sunday,  April 30, 2023 at Bay Springs Cemetery in Bay Springs,  MS.

Dot was born September 11, 1937, near Birmingham, Alabama, and moved to Laurel,
Mississippi in her early teens. She was a cheerleader at Shady Grove while dual enrolled at
Hatfield's, Inc. Mississippi's College of Beauty Culture at the age of 16. She spoke fondly of her
time at Hatfield's and of her friendship with her mentor, the school's owner, Mr. W. Hatfield,
often saying he made her feel like his own daughter.

It was in Laurel that she met her future husband, Charlie, who literally swept her off her feet with
a first date flight in his airplane! A quick 8 months later, on January 25, 1958, they were married
at Bay Springs Baptist Church. Dot moved to Bay Springs and quickly settled into newlywed life.
She began working with the family business, Bay Springs Telephone Company, before
welcoming their first child, Donna. A few years later, Dot and Charlie welcomed their first son,
Cy, and a year after Cy, their red-headed caboose, Shay. Dot filled the traditional roles of wife,
mother, and grandmother well and with her own non-traditional flair and style, which she took
great pride in. She was truly one-of-a-kind.

She was an energetic mom who was heavily involved in her children's sports, pageants, and
other activities, often reflecting on how much she enjoyed having her children's friends over
after football practice and on the weekends. She was active in Bay Springs Baptist Church with
the youth department while her children were young, and also with the grounds and flower
committees.

Dot enjoyed traveling with the family and with Charlie on business trips; she saw many great
sights around the world, but Hawaii remained her favorite travel destination. Dot loved spending
time on the water and was an avid runner in her younger years. Once her children were older,
Dot rekindled her passion for design–both floral and interior. She had impeccable taste and
enjoyed decorating her home, as well as many friends' homes around town. Her design works
were featured in magazines and tours of homes. She also loved to cook and entertain, hosting
many parties, wedding receptions, and events in her home and courtyard.
Dot and Charlie were avid animal lovers and dedicated much of their lives to animal rescue.
They took in numerous dogs and cats over the years–having as many as 40 dogs at once–and
knew each one by name. Dot was an ovarian cancer survivor, and she credited her love for and
care of animals as a big reason for her survival.

Dot loved her grandchildren and never missed an event from kindergarten graduations to
college graduations, and every t-ball game, piano recital, and birthday party in between. Her
persistent supportive role in the family extended to the family business and to her employees at
FTC, who she thought of as family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 57 years and the love of her life,
Charles Franklin Fail; and sons, Cy Franklin Fail and Shay Cooper Fail.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Fail Alexander (William); grandchildren Christa
LaDonna Alexander, Nicholas Franklin Fail, Charles Cyrus Fail, Alexis Alexander Phillips "Ali"
(Heath), and Julie Elizabeth Fail; and daughter in law, Pamela Ruffin Fail.

The Fail Family would like to extend their thanks to the doctors and nurses at St. Dominic's
Hospital, especially Dr. Barnard and Dr. Jones, ICU nurses Alex and Ariana, and nurses Mitra,
Megan, and Taylor, as well as the nurses and staff at The Blake in Flowood, and Pax Hospice in
Ridgeland for their kindness and compassion. We are especially grateful to our team at FTC,
and to family and friends near and far who have showered us with love and support during this
time.

Her pallbearers will be her favorite son-in-law William Alexander, Nick Fail, Heath Phillips, and
Clark Taylor. Honorary pallbearers are Joe F. Alexander, Charley Fail, Mike Phillips, Joe Frank
Alexander, Jr., and Elliott Alexander.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research
Alliance, Animal Rescue League of Laurel or to your local animal shelter, or Bay Springs Baptist
Church.