Dora Jeanette Exley

Dora Jeanette Exley made her journey home to heaven August 2, 2026, at the age of 88 in the care of her nursing home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida with her family at her side. 

Jeanette was born May 31, 1938 to Ouida Sylvana (née Hall) and Troy Comer Alberson in Geneva, Alabama. She later attended Geneva High School. In 1956, Jeanette married Howard Council Mills in Geneva and then the U.S. Air Force sent them as their first adventure stationing them in England. This is where their family grew when she had her two daughters Teresa “Ty” Kay on June 9, 1957 and Cheryl Ann on May 25, 1958. The family would later be stationed in Illinois and Japan during their time together. Then later landing in Fort Walton Beach, Fl.

While in Fort Walton Beach, Jeanette began her journey to become a cosmetologist at Wright Beauty College. Upon graduation, She went to work for and later to become owner of The Prissy Missy in Downtown Fort Walton. Also she was an active member of the Okaloosa chapter of the Hairdressers Association. In 1970, Jeanette met and also got married to the love of her life CW-3 Ronald “Ron” James Exley.  In which she and her girls moved to join him at Fort Bragg, N.C. Then on November 28, 1971 they welcomed a daughter of their own Melissa Jeanea Exley. Later the new family would be stationed in Tehran, Iran and back to Fort Bragg until the time for Ron’s retirement from the U.S. Army. 

After Ron retired, Jeanette and the family returned to Fort Walton Beach, in 1978 Jeanette opened her first location of The Executive Styling Salon, and she rejoined the Hairdressers association and soon became the President and the President pro temp for many years. She continued to do what she loved until she finally retired to have a quiet life with Ron. 

Jeanette is survived by her daughters, Cheryl (Jerry) Warner and Melissa Exley; sister, Jean Alberson; sister in-law, Sherri (née Exley) Norenberg; grandchildren, Alisha (Chris) Hamilton, Sean (Megan) Warner, Rhiannon Sharp, Skyden Sharp; and great-granddaughter, Sierra Warner. Many loving nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews. 

Jeanette is preceded in death and welcomed home by her parents, Ouida and Troy Alberson; sister, Donnie (née Alberson) Caldwell; her loving daughter, Teresa “Ty” Mills; Sister in-law, Gail (née Exley) Fleid as well as her brother in-laws, David Norenberg and Kenneth Field.

A funeral service will be held at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547 beginning at 12:00pm. The family will receive friends an hour prior beginning at 11:00am.