Dorothy Mae Marshall-Kelley

Dorothy Mae Marshall-Kelley of Frankford, Delaware entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. She was born on Thursday, December 25, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Anita Marshall and Moses Purnell. She was raised in Bishopville, Maryland by a great aunt and uncle, Dilley and Thomas Mumford. Dorothy was educated in the Worcester County, Maryland public schools. She worked at H&H (Mountaire Poultry), Selbyville, Delaware for 27 years. On June 28, 1980, Dorothy married the late Marvin Kelley. Dorothy was a strong and loving mother to her nine (9) children. She raised them all with the love a mother should. On a daily basis, she modeled the love and respect that her children have for each other. In times of crisis, the family knew that they could call on the rock, Dorothy Mae Marshall-Kelley, to tell them “it will be alright!” Her family meant the world to her and she was the glue that cemented the love in the Marshall-Kelley family. Dorothy was known as Mom-Mom to her grandchildren and others that adopted her as their grandmother. She always had enough love for everyone she encountered. While growing up, the children and grandchildren loved to sleep in Mom-Mom’s room because she had the good snacks: pork skins, peppermints, cookies and warm Pepsi. Everyone knew about and loved her sweet potato pies, and sweet potato biscuits. Dorothy had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of Apostolic Faith Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, Millsboro, Delaware. She served diligently under the leadership of the late Bishop Wilbert Simmons and the late Bishop Amos Young. Until her death, she served under Pastor George Lofland. She loved serving the Lord and was appointed an official Mother of the Church in 1983. She had one (1) special friend, Edith Rogers, with whom she spoke with daily on the telephone. Dorothy came to reside with her daughter, Diane and her husband Charles in 2007. She loved being with Diane and the family. Diane made sure that she provided great care and attention to her mother’s needs. She leaves to cherish her loving memory five (5) sons: Thomas Marshall of Philadelphia, PA; Charles (Peggy) Marshall of Roxana, DE; Alvin (Karen) Marshall of Georgetown, DE; Marvin (Sissy) Marshall of Frankford, DE; and Irving Kelley of Milford, DE; three (3) daughters: Rosalie Handy of Selbyville, DE; Maeola Waters of Frankford, DE; and Diane (Charles) Lillard of Frankford, DE; her brother, Herbert Marshall, Philadelphia, PA; her niece, Loretta Green, Philadelphia, PA; 28 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Hazel Marshall Allen; her son, Elwood Plum Gaines and 11 of her 12 siblings.

Dorothy Mae Marshall-Kelley

December 25, 1923 - January 8, 2013