Lena Dot Templeton

Lena Dot Arnold Templeton, of Atlanta, died on November 15. She was 91.

Lena Dot was born October 1, 1931 in Anderson, South Carolina to Roy and Arbelia Arnold. She grew up there, then attended Furman University, where she majored in sociology. After college she moved with friends to Washington DC, where she met a friend of her brothers, Robert Templeton. They were married in June 1953, and lived in Aberdeen, MD; Baton Rouge, and Houston, where their first two children were born. In 1960 they moved to Atlanta, where their next two children were born, and where they lived for almost 40 years. After their nest was empty, Lena Dot and Bob loved to travel and took many trips throughout Europe, Asia, and North and South America.

Lena Dot was an extremely gifted artist, who worked in many different mediums. For years she taught art to adults and children from her home studio in Sandy Springs. She painted abstracts, portraits, and many other subjects in oils and acrylics. Her paintings have hung in the governor’s mansion, the University of Georgia vet school, several churches and the homes of her children and grandchildren.

She was also a talented seamstress, who designed and made clothes, including liturgical vestments and hangings. Her family’s favorites are her famous Christmas stockings, each one with an original design on both sides with exquisitely detailed embroidery. Lena Dot was a faithful Episcopalian. She was a member of the altar and flower guilds at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Atlanta for almost four decades. In 1999, she and Bob moved to Signal Mountain, TN, where she was on the flower and liturgical arts guilds at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. For the last two years she was a member of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, where her daughter, Patricia, is the priest.

After her husband of 67 years died in 2020, Lena Dot returned to Atlanta to be closer to her children. She is survived by her daughter, the Rev. Patricia Templeton (Joe Monti); and sons, Dr. Damon Templeton (Kay), Alan Templeton (Elisa), and Paul Templeton (Cassie); her grandchildren Sarah Schmitt (Mike), Parker Templeton (Emily), Joseph Henry Monti, and John, Jason, Turner, and Avery Templeton; her brother, Thad Arnold; and beloved feline companions, Bubba and Buddy.

A small funeral service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 4393 Garmon Road, Atlanta, 30327.