Ivory Jean Dumas

Ivory Jean (Franklin) Dumas, of Lorain, transitioned on September 16, 2024. She was born on June 18, 1933, in Epps, Louisiana to Ira and Charlotte Lois (Jenkins) Franklin. She graduated from Esther Toombs High School in Delhi, LA. In June 1954, she moved to Buffalo, NY where she found a job as a housekeeper and enrolled in Bryant & Stratton Business College. She graduated from Kensington Business Institute with a degree in Secretarial Science in 1956. After graduation, Ivory became employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. 

Ivory soon met and fell in love with Lee Dumas. In 1960 they moved to Lorain, Ohio. In 1963 they adopted two children: Kenneth Lee in 1963, and Gina Lynn in 1965. Ivory continued to work for Liberty Mutual in Bay Village, Ohio, but always had a desire to develop her interest in the nursing profession. In 1969, she graduated with an associate degree from Lorain County Community College. She took the Ohio State Board Exam, passed it, and received her Certification as a Registered Nurse. She worked as a staff nurse at Lorain Community Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital on the medical-surgical, psychiatric, emergency room and rehabilitation floors. She later became the supervisor of the Methadone Clinic at St. Joseph Hospital until it closed. Committed to continuing her education, Ivory graduated from the University of Akron in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She became a Nursing Laboratory Instructor and taught at LCC College for 10 years. Upon obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree, Ivory was inducted into Sigma Theta Tan, the National Honor Society of Nursing, and the Alpha Sigma Lambda Gamma Chapter. 

Ivory volunteered faithfully at the voting polls for the Board of Elections, and the Seniors Teaching and Reaching Students (S.T.A.R.S). She was a proud “lifetime member” of the following organizations: The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), the NANBPW (National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women), the NCNW (National Council of Negro Women), the LCUL (Lorain County Urban League), and the Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators. She joined Greater St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1965. She served as the Church Secretary in 1985, as a Stewardess in 1990, as Vice President in 1995, and as a Church Trustee from 1996-1997. 

Ivory was an avid exerciser. She enjoyed traveling; domestic and international, attending theater events, gospel concerts, gardening, and encouraging others to vote. 

Ivory loved and cherished her family. She leaves loving memories for her daughter, Gina Lynn; son, Kenneth Lee; granddaughter, Tatiana Millsap; godson Shawn Davis; and her loving brother, Hurshel Franklin; nieces: Crystal Newell, JoAnn Sweat, Ramona Franklin, Angelina Franklin, Georgett Franklin, Glenese Hart, Venue Sharolyn Franklin- Spencer, and Kimberly Franklin-Warner; nephews: Johnny Franklin Jr., Dennis Franklin, Edward Franklin, Jeffrey Franklin, and Kevin Franklin; other relatives and special friends, Ted and Karen Buena and Henry and Sherry Johnson. 

Ivory was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Charlotte Lois Franklin; her husband, Lee Dumas; her sister, Bula Mae Newell; and brothers, Aaron Newell, Lonnie Franklin, and Johnny Franklin, Sr. 

Visitation will be Friday, September 27, 2024, from 11 AM until the time of service at Noon at Greater St. Matthew A.M.E. Church, 1909 W 24th St. Lorain Ohio 44052. Interment will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst.