Dorothy Lynn McKibben-Heidenreich

Dorothy Lynn McKibben-Heidenreich, 73, of Bainbridge, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The graveside funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Cool Springs Cemetery with Rev. Tim Harrell officiating. Bill Heidenreich, Don Heidenreich, Jim Heidenreich, John “Princess” Heidenreich, Pudge Floyd, and Leonard Hernandez will serve as active pallbearers. The family will hold a memorial service following the graveside service at Immanuel Baptist Church. The service will begin at 1:00 p.m.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 481, Bainbridge, GA 39818 or American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. 

Dorothy Lynn Spicer was born January 26, 1953, in Ontario, CA, the daughter of Elmer & Juanita Chapman Spicer. After high school, Dorothy earned an associate degree in computer programming with a minor in bookkeeping. Though Dorothy lived in Missouri, California and Washington state, her best years working were with Goodwill Industries in Southern California. Dorothy made the move to North Florida/South Georgia four years ago and never looked back. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

Dorothy found joy in tending her flower and vegetable gardens, believing that anything worth having was worth growing with care. Her artistic spirit shone through her paintings of fairies, angels, flowers, caricatures, and glowing sunsets.

She loved fishing, singing gospel music, and filling her days with knitting, sewing, crochet, and countless arts and crafts. A devoted foster parent for many years, Dorothy opened her home and heart to children in need. She also volunteered faithfully at the Bainbridge Church of God soup kitchen, always ready to serve others. Whether penny shopping for hidden treasures or caring for those around her, Dorothy lived a life rooted in faith, creativity, and selfless love.

Survivors include her husband, Rick Heidenreich; her children, Tammy Sanderson, Kris “Bubba” Rowsey, Alexandra Ippolito, Dylan Ippolito, Makayla Ippolito, Noah Ippolito, Benjamin Ippolito, Selena Ippolito, Kaylee Ippolito, Amanda Cannon, and Dennis Michael Champion III; a brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loving referred to her as “Grandma Dorothy”; and a host of extended family. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her children, Gayleen Patton, Teesa Rowsey, and Sarah Ippolito; her twin brother, Donald Spicer; and her brother, Chuck Spicer.