Dorothy S. Cannon (Tucker)

Dorothy G. Tucker Smith Cannon, was born in Blackstone, Virginia, on Thursday, June 28, 1928, 10 minutes behind her twin brother, Grover, to the late Paul and Rosa L. Mikeal Tucker. She departed this life on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Dorothy loved school and anything that dealt with enriching the mind. She started at home teaching her twin and younger brother Robert, how to read. She completed high school in 1947, and continued her education at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in May, 1951, with a major in Home Economics and a minor in science. Dorothy went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Home Economics Food Education for the Teacher’s College of New York City, in 1953. Following her career as a dietician for Belview Hospital in NYC, Dorothy began her teaching career in 1953, in Centreville, Maryland. Dorothy came to Delaware in the Fall of 1959. She began teaching at Paul Laurence Dunbar School, Laurel, Delaware. She also taught at William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown, Delaware; Greenwood Junior High School, Greenwood, Delaware; Woodbridge Junior and Senior High Schools in Bridgeville, Delaware; and retired from Lake Forest High School, Felton, Delaware, in 1988. Dorothy married the late Jonathan Smith in 1961. To that union their one and only daughter, Michelle’ was born. Dorothy married the late Bradford Cannon, II, in 1970, which included twin girls, the late Michele Cannon and the late Denise Cannon Manuel. Dorothy made it her life’s work to teach and mentor those with whom she came in contact. She believed that education was the foundation for everything. Dorothy found a way to instill that love in her church family as well. She joined the Mt. Enon Baptist Church family, in Milford, Delaware, shortly after moving to Bridgeville. She immediately began working in the church and joined nearly every organization and of course, she found her way into teaching the little ones as a Sunday school teacher and VBS (Vacation Bible School), as the director. Her most honored position was being a member of the building committee. This past July, following her 90th birthday, Reverend Dr. Patricia Green exhalted her to Elder Dorothy Cannon. Dorothy was also an extremely active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, State and Jurisdiction of Delaware, where she was a Past Worthy Matron of Rock of Ages, Chapter #15, of Milford, Delaware, Past Most Ancient Grand Matron of the Heroines of Jericho and a member of Milton Assembly #81, Order of the Golden Circle, Milton, Delaware. Dorothy was also very proud to be a Charter Member of the Sussex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her six brothers, William, Dennis, Junious, Grover (her twin), Robert and Edward; three sisters, Carrie, Melvyn Mae and Sarah; her beloved spouse, Bradford Cannon; stepdaughters, Michele and Denise; and step-granddaughter, Tienya Cannon. Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Michelle’ DeShields (Frank); eight grandchildren, J. Robert Smith (Tracy Bonneville), Darell Smith (Danielle Pettyjohn), Brittany Curtis (Michael), KeAndre Smith (Caleisha Suggs), Troy Deshields, Tishaun Hatton (Tonda), Shakeya DeShields and Franklin West; six step-grandchildren, LaShonda Hunter, Shunee Cannon, Melvin Freeman, Richard Cannon, Anitra Cannon and Darnell Cannon; a host of great-grandchildren whom she adored; nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.

Dorothy S. Cannon (Tucker)

June 28, 1928 - December 19, 2018