Dora Dimple Early of Rifle died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at Heritage Park Care Center in Carbondale. She was 86.

She was born July 6, 1916, in Frederick, Okla., to Elizabeth Mayes and Mac McClain.

She worked as a cook at restaurants in Oklahoma and Texas.

She married Samuel Byron Early.

She was a member of the Baptist Church.

Mrs. Early enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Byron Early; by sons Rodney Early and Harold Early; and by daughters Marie Early and Kathy Early.

Mrs. Early is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Marvin Russell and Bonnie Early of Amarillo, Texas, Samuel and Brenda Early of Rifle, Kirby Darrell Early of Idaho, Mac and Mary Early of Tennessee, and Lew Welden Early of Asheville, N.C.; by daughters and sons-in-law Nettie Faye Clark of Warren, Ohio, Vera Alice and R.L. Smith of Fountain, Karen Nelle Hall of Amarillo, Texas, and Gaye Elaine Jalbert of Los Angeles, Calif.; by a sister, Trucille of Frederick; and by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Friends may call Tuesday evening at Church of the Open Door, at the intersection of the Access Road and Highway 13 bypass in Rifle.

A funeral service is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, at the Church of the Open Door in Rifle.

Burial will follow at Rose Hil Cemetery in Rifle.

Cochran Memorial Chapel of Meeker is in charge of arrangements.