Dorothy L "Doris" Stith

          

                                            A Joyous Celebration of Life 
                                                                  For
                                                 Dorothy Louise Stith

Sunrise: November 24, 1941                                     Sunset: November 26, 2016                                                   

On Saturday, November 26, 2016, Dorothy Louise Stith peacefully transitioned to her eternal Home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Born Dorothy Louise Reed on November 24, 1941  in Blackville, South Carolina to her parents, Dorothy Mae and Robert Lee Reed. Before the age of three, her family had relocated to Washington, D.C., where she lived with her extended family. 

At the age of three, Dorothy had suffered the trauma of third degree burns over 60% percent of her body and was hospitalized for more than a year. She endured several painful skin grafts and operations before she could fully recover. Dorothy was able to return to school and attended Slater-Langston Elementary School, Shaw Junior High School and Dunbar Senior High School in Washington, D.C. Dorothy received her high school diploma in June of 1960, although she didn't have the opportunity to participate in the commencement exercises due to her commitment to her family, however, Dorothy was able to have the chance to participate in the commencement exercises with Dunbar High School's Class of 2000 where her alma mater allowed her to finally "walk" with the Class of 2000 to properly receive her high school diploma. She was also given the special honor of delivering the alumni address to the Class of 2000. Many members of the Class of 2000 applauded Dorothy and even asked for her autograph after the commencement ceremony. The opportunity she was denied in 1960 was finally realized forty years later in a moment she would always treasure.

In early 1957, Dorothy met the man who would later become her husband for more than 54 years, Irving Dennis Stith. While they met a party, they would date for 4 1/2 years before marrying on February 20, 1962. Dorothy and Irving would later have their first child, Fawn in March of 1964. Dorothy and Irving would later have four additional children, Phyllis, Dennis, Fran and Ronica (Ann). Throughout the years they were blessed to have several grandchildren and were also blessed to be great-grandparents to their one great-grand daughter. Residing in Riverdale, Maryland for more than 35 years, Dorothy enjoyed gardening, caring for her children, her extended family, her neighbors and most of all, she treasured her spiritual relationship with the Lord. She would often discuss her faith with her family and it is her her strong spiritual faith that would sustain her until her peaceful transition that carried her Home.

Many neighbors in her community could always count on "Doris" or as some would call her, "Miss Doris" or "Miss Stith" to be a good neighbor and faithful friend during the best of times and the worst of times. In later years, many of her neighbors that relocated would come back to visit her and would thank her for always being a great neighbor to them throughout the years. Many in her local community knew her as a warm, giving, loving and joyful person that was more concerned about the well-being of others. She tirelessly and generously gave to others and many people were moved by her jovial spirit that was unique and impressionable and it was that spirit that would instantly become an inspiration to others. Always quick to dispense spiritual wisdom, she had the gift of exhortation and would tirelessly encourage others to seek the counsel of God's Word. Whether it was fixing meals for the homeless and making care packages for the men and women at the 2nd and D Street, NW shelter in Washington, D.C. (Mitch Snyder's place) or being there for family and neighbors during the most challenging times of their life, she was a constant source of strength and faith to all that knew her.  She will be greatly missed by those who loved her and knew her.

Preceding her spiritual transition, was her cherished mother, Dorothy Mae Watts, her cherished sister and brother-in law, Ella (Betty/Holmes/Weensee) and James Eaton, her step-father, Luther Watts (Heavy), her beloved niece, Tina Lorraine Eaton, her cousins, Stella Louise Lucas (Sweetie/Judy) and her husband Henry Lucas, Elmore Batie, Jr., (Elmo) Clary Ann Nix (Clara) and their mother, Pearl Batie (Aunt) and a host of so many members of the Batie family from Barnwell County, South Carolina that include (Bessie Hicks (Aunt Frisky), Aunt Katie, Uncle Henry, Uncle Will, Elmore Batie, Sr.("Mo"), Aunt Ora Lee, "Hosteen", Aunt Clannie Mae, Aunt "Mista"/Ella, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Tom, Aunt "Ploom"/Estelle, Doris Jean Batie, Edward (Grand Daddy) and Ella Weathersby Batie, Miss Edna Batie, Marcus Batie and so many others that have transitioned, but will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her husband of more than 54 years, Irving Stith, her five children, Fawn, Phyllis (Paule), Dennis, Fran (Mikey) and Ronica. She is also survived by several grandchildren: Chermire, Allen (whom she and Irving raised from his birth as their son and his wife Ra'Nise), Michael (Mr. Chan), Jonathan, Carlos, Jacob, Allison Louise, Dennis, Jr. (DJ), Audrey Joyce and one great-grand daughter, Jazzlyn (Twinky). She is also survived by her son-in law of more than 30 years, Byron Craig (Mike), one sister, Marie Steele (Lloyd), cousins Clarence (Shane) Batie and his wife Ann, Wayne Batie and Larry Batie as well as a host of additional cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, neighbors and her British Shorthaired Tabby cat, Lady. We have all been blessed because of her earthly journey and her impact on so many people will always be defined as indelible. Her love of always sharing herself with so many people was her purpose in this life and her love of Jehovah God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit were evident in her spirit. If you knew her, you knew she loved you and we have been blessed by the love she shared and showed. She will always be loved and adored, particularly by her loving, selfless, patient and caring husband that she was blessed to know for nearly 60 years, Irving Dennis Stith (Skip).

We are truly grateful to Jehovah God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for the life of Dorothy Louise Stith and we give thanks for the love, grace and mercy shown to her and our family. We are confident in the promise of our imminent reunion where we will be together again for eternity.

The immediate family would like to thank extended family members and friends that prayed for Dorothy and her immediate family and to the physicians, nurses, flight paramedics, hospital staff and to anyone that called to offer comfort and their assistance to her and her family, we are eternally grateful. May you all be richly blessed because you've been a blessing to her and her family. We offer our sincerest thanks to all of you with our deepest gratitude.

On behalf of the Stith family, the Craig family, the Brown family, the Campbell family, the Gladden family and their extended family members, we wish you the very best blessings now and forevermore.

Acknowledgements
The family of Dorothy Stith would like to acknowledge and convey our special thanks to Fran Stith, Allison Campbell, Audrey (Joyce) Campbell, Allen Stith, Ra'Nise Caldwell, Michael Eaton, Paul (Paule/"Boyfriend") Brown, Fawn (Tracy) Craig, Chermire (Puddin') Gladden, Ronica (Ann) Stith, Byron (Mike) Craig, Dave (Mikey) Campbell, Trudy Steele, Lisa Hamilton Eaton, Jimmy Smith, Beverly Garcia of Brooklyn, New York, Tawanda Lucas, Tawana Tucker, Mr. Earl L. Campbell and Eunetta D. Campbell, Julie K. Fox, M.D., Muhammad Ashraf, M.D. and the caring staff of the Suburban Heart Institute, the ER staff of Doctors Community Hospital, the physicians, nurses and staff members of Medstar Washington Hospital Center (Units 2NE and 4NE, Lucia (her final attending nurse) and their staff Chaplain, Pastor Johnson), the staff of First Student (Keesha), Warren (caring friend to Fawn Craig and Chermire Gladden) JB Jenkins Funeral Home (Ms. Brown, John Jenkins, Christopher Mickens, Lawrence E.Johnson, Jr. and Ms. Palmer) and Ms. Cecelia Knox and the entire staff of Maryland National Memorial Park.

Pallbearers/Gentlemen In Waiting
Paul Brown
Dave Campbell
Byron Craig
Michael Craig
Michael Eaton
James "Jimmy" Smith
Allen Stith

Services Entrusted To JB Jenkins Funeral Home
Landover, Maryland 20785

Interment
Maryland National Memorial Park
13300 Baltimore. Avenue
Laurel, Maryland 20707

 

 

 

Born: Nov 24, 1941 in Barnwell County South Carolina

Died: Nov 26, 2016 in Washington DC

About: Member of The Body of Christ