Jean Dingman Obituary

Jean Ann "Jeannie" Dingman
October 28, 1937 – July 9, 2025
Jean Ann "Jeannie" Dingman, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and proud lifelong Texan, passed peacefully into eternal rest on July 9, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 87. Born on October 28, 1937, also in Fort Worth, she was the eldest daughter of Elmer E. Lawrence and Billie J. Shaw. She lived her entire life in the city she loved - and in the state she adored - carrying with her a quiet dignity, a strong spirit, and a boundless love for her family.
Affectionately known as "Jeannie" to those closest to her and "Nanny" to the generations who followed, Jean was a woman of immense heart and immeasurable grace. Her life was shaped by hardship, guided by faith, and centered always on the needs of others. Her strength, humility, and enduring devotion to family leave behind a legacy that spans five generations and countless lives touched by her love.
Jean was raised on Crump Street in the Diamond Hill neighborhood of Fort Worth. Her childhood was modest, marked by limited resources but enriched by imagination and sibling bonds. Alongside her younger brothers Johnny and Ed and baby sister Linda, Jean made memories in the vacant rock lot across the street - using slats of wood as bats and stones as baseballs, watching neighborhood boys play, and learning early on how to find joy in simple things.
As the eldest child, Jean took on caregiving responsibilities from a very young age. She helped her mother raise her siblings and also cared for her paternal grandmother, Susie Lawrence, who lived in the family home. Jean would go on to care for her grandmother through the later years of her life in nursing homes, beginning a lifelong calling of compassion and caregiving that would never waver.
Her father, Elmer, worked as an auto mechanic and spent time at Firestone in downtown Fort Worth - a landmark that still stands today. Her mother, Billie, was a devoted homemaker and caregiver. Together, they modeled values of hard work, sacrifice, and deep familial love - values Jean would pass down faithfully to her own children.
Jean attended Diamond Hill-Jarvis schools through the eighth grade and maintained close friendships throughout her life, including her treasured lifelong friend, Edna Thompson. Even as the years and miles separated them, Jean and Edna remained connected - their bond surviving the test of time, illness, and distance.
It was on Crump Street that Jean's love story began. One day, she spotted a tall, handsome young man walking nearby and turned to her brother, saying with a smile, "I wonder who that tall drink of water is?" That boy was John Dingman - affectionately known as "Sonny" - and their connection was instant. Though she was just 14 and he had just graduated from Trimble Tech High School, the two quickly fell in love. With the blessing of both families, Jean and Sonny were married at home on January 25, 1952. They rented a house just three doors down from Jean's parents and began a new life together.
Just one month after marrying, Jean discovered she was pregnant with their first child, and so began the role she was born to fulfill - motherhood. Jean and Sonny went on to have six children over the next thirteen years: Pam, born in 1952; David in 1955; Susan in 1959; Ronda in 1962; and twin boys, Larry and Gary, in 1965. By the age of 28, Jean had a full household, a full heart, and a life centered entirely around the people she loved most.
Jean poured herself entirely into the care of her children. She made sure they always had food - even if it was only beans, potatoes, or baloney - and made it taste like a feast. Her family still recalls her iconic greasy fried potatoes with onions, a simple dish that came to symbolize love, sacrifice, and comfort. She ensured her children had shoes, clothing, school supplies, and the support they needed to thrive. She attended every school event she could, beaming with pride and presence.
Her son Larry recalls that she was beautiful, both inside and out - and that she never put herself before others. Her heart was generous beyond measure, and her home was always filled with warmth, whether during camping trips, holiday meals, or quiet moments crocheting gifts for loved ones.
Jean was the matriarch of a sprawling family who adored her. She was the proud grandmother of Clint Burgess, Chad Dingman, Megan Dingman-Askew, Jared Darter, Deja Dingman, Brandon Dingman, Ethan Wiggins, Brandi (step-granddaughter), Trey (step-grandson), and Savannah Dingman. Her love continued to multiply with 14 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-great-grandchildren - including baby Jaxon, due to arrive this coming September.
Jean's children, grandchildren, and great-grands knew her simply as "Nanny" - the heart of the family, the voice of reason, the warm arms that held them all. On her 80th birthday, her family gathered to celebrate, and her granddaughter Deja presented her with a special custom cake. With a radiant smile and her hands gently resting beneath her chin, Jean looked up and said, "Okay I'm ready to be adored." And in truth, she always was.
Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John "Sonny" Dingman; her son, David Dingman; her parents, Elmer E. Lawrence and Billie J. Shaw; her brothers, Johnny Lawrence and Ed Lawrence; and her sister, Linda Lawrence-White.
She is survived by her five loving children:
Pam Hammer and husband Ray
David's wife Sheri
Susan Darter and husband Jimmy
Ronda Dingman
Larry Dingman and wife Vicki
Gary Dingman and wife Mary
She is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-great-grandchildren; as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will forever hold her memory close.
Jean will be laid to rest at Azleland Cemetery, alongside her cherished parents and siblings - a place where her family can visit and reflect, knowing they remain close even in rest.
Funeral services to honor and celebrate the extraordinary life of Jean Ann Dingman will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Azle Funeral Chapel on the grounds of Azleland Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, followed by a funeral service in the chapel, and then a committal at Azleland, where she will be laid to eternal rest near the ones she loved so dearly.
Her family invites all who knew and loved her to come together in gratitude for a life of devotion, dignity, and quiet greatness. Jean's legacy is not just in the generations that follow her, but in the memories, values, and love she leaves behind - a legacy of grace that will echo for years to come
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