Dorothy Mae Vesey

The Life & Legacy Of Dorothy M. Vesey

Dorothy Mae Stewart was born on July 18. 1944, Jonestown, Mississippi, Coahoma County, to Big-Joe and Mary Lou (Pigram) Stewart.

This is her story. Dorothy was the 7th baby girl and the 13th child of 14 siblings, raised on the red-dirt streets of Jonestown, MS. She knew all about hard work and earning her keep, working long hours from sun up until sundown in the heat of the day picking, sorting, and bagging cotton, as a “Cotton Picker.” When she wasn’t working, she attended school in the District of Coahoma County. In the South during that era, young ladies started families and married early in life. At the age of 12, Dorothy experienced her

first joy and loss when she gave birth to her first son, Ben. Within a few months, he passed away. While she raised her second son, Clark, she met and married Mr. S.W. Bolden. They were blessed with three more children: Peggie, Sam, and Mary. Dorothy was tired of picking cotton, so she decided to move from Mississippi to Chicago, Illinois. Her sister, Marie, and brother-in-law, TJ Vesey, went to Chicago and brought their baby sister (and family) to Rock Island, Illinois. Dorothy worked faithfully at the Poultry House and later at the Movie Theatre. She met and married Mr. Charles Burrage, and to that union, they added four more children: Victoria, Sylvia, Charlotte, and Charlesetter. Her sister Marie took her under her wings and led her to the faith of the Apostolic Doctrine under the teaching and preaching of Bishop A.L. Boyd. Dorothy believed in the Word of God and was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. She enlisted in the Army of the Lord, received training, and studied under various leaders. She was a devoted and committed Soldier (Ephesians 6:11-13). She was true to her calling and rose in rank Spiritually to become an Evangelist and a faithful Prayer Warrior. Dorothy gave it her all with no desire to turn back or give up.

After the death of her husband, she spent several years alone, focusing on raising her eight children and a loving nephew-son, Glen. While working in the ministry of the Lord, she met Mr. Clayton Vesey, and they married. There’s a saying, “yours, mine, and ours.” Well, he had his ten, she brought her eight, and they added their six: Domonique, Alex, Paul, Yolanda, Terry, and Delores. Dorothy had a great love for her family. Her love was like “Fire” for her children, grandchildren, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren. Just like in the Book of Job (1:5), how he faithfully prayed for his children, that was Dorothy. If you ever had a nightly prayer in her house, you knew it wasn’t going to be just two minutes but at least two hours. Fall asleep if you want to; it didn’t stop

her as she continued to pray. Her desire was to instill the necessity of having a prayer life, being faithful, walking holy, and living righteously. That was the foundation she was planting in all of her children, even the little babies. Dorothy trained her children to put God first in their life. She stressed the importance of pursuing a higher education. Her children earned high school diplomas, special skills, Skill-training, AAs, BAs, MAs, and PhDs, making her proud. Not only did she love her family, but she also loved everyone she met; no one was a stranger. She was a social butterfly. When you met her, she would embrace you with a smile. Her conversation would always be about the Lord, her children, and how many she had. She collected people as her sons and daughters or just called them her grandbabies. Dorothy was gifted. She was noted for her mouth-watering sweet potato pies, her tasty, well-seasoned, Mississippi-sage-corn-bread dressing, her cakes, her fried chicken, her spam and noodles, and her delicious homemade dishes, mmmmmm! She was very crafty, making trinkets and home decorations. She was a fashion designer in her own right, adding flare and bling to her clothes.

Dorothy had many titles, whether they called her Mother, Mom, Mommie, Momma, or Ma, we knew she was large and in charge (the HMIC) in her household. To some, she may have been one person in this world, but to her family, she was their world and very much part of ours. During the last days of her journey here on earth (October 30th, 2024), she “fought a good fight, she finished her course, she kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for her a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give her at that day.” 2 Tim 4:6-8.

Words from Momma: I showed you the way. Now it’s your turn. “ Remember, Distance Doesn’t Determine My Love For You” ~ Love, Mom.

She leaves to cherish the many memories of her life; her 15 children and 121 grand, great, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as her brothers and sisters, are all listed under Heritage. Special recognition: Rosie Dale Black, Maragret Wood, Betty Miller, and Joe Major Sr. A host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and God-given children.

Family, Let Nothing Separate You From The Love Of God & Love Of Family. Purposely, Intentionally, Fervently, Fight Through Prayer For Family Love To Continue.

Heritage

15 Children & 121 Grands & Great, Grt-Grt Grands

Clark Kent Stewart: (13) Celeste, Amanda & Dewayne, (Grands: Jeremiah, Joshua, Jacob, Jared).

Dustin & Juanitha, (Grands: Kal-El , Kayden, Kara Zor-El)

Dr. Peggie & Eddie Hamilton: (8) Eddie & Kassie, (Grands: Eddie III, Samara, Joshua, Enais).

Emmanuel, (Grand: Desmond).

Sam & Bettye Bolden: (3) LaTrisha, Alexi, Braxton

Mary (Richard) Jett: (29 ) Michelle, (Grn: Elijah (Grt-G-Santana), (Grn: DeAjah (Grt-G, Mateo),

(Grn: Ahnyla, Brooke)

Emma (Grn: Emmiya, Keith)

Jesse (Grn: Tannyn, Jesse, Juelz)

Kia (Grn: BriAjah , Alayjah, Ayonna, Braydan)

Charlotte (Grn: Nehemiah, Noah)

Anthony (Grn: Anthony Ill, Breon, Aniya, Kyrielle, Amir)

Zacharias (Not Yet)

Victoria (Marvin) McGowan: (13)

Donatello (Grn: Kanon)

Arieo & (Grn: Markyion, Marshawn, Amara, Arriah)

Diamond, Nicos, Isaiah, Israel, Ian, Angel

Sylvia & Tremere Bragg: (21)

Charles & LaVonda (Grn: JaiMari ,Jaquez , Charles, JaiNya, JaiMya,

Josiah , Ezekiel, Janelle, Kaleb, King)

Larry,

Keith & Aubreana (Grn: Zendaya, Keith lll, Zuri)

McArthur, Sandra, Shila

Charlotte Robinson: (1) Christina

Charlesetter Burrage: (7) Jamisha (Grn: G'Myiah, Lanyiah), Ronnisha (Grn: Genesis)

Markese (Grn: Nehemiah)

Margaret & Ranail Mays (30) Angelica, (Isaiah, Nevach, Gibert, Giovonie, Naelah, Iylani, (Jasper Jr.)

Journey, Jadaviah, (Elleck, (Xzaivionte, Zion, Zymeir, Zanlyah), Tremain, (Ianty), Shameka,

(Jussiah, Josh Jr., Jace, Jakani), Aleis, Charles, (Eaiva, Shatarh, Ahtayviaon), Anisha, (Antez),

Dimetru.

Dominique (Lance) Howard-Vesey: (12) Emmanuel (Grn: E'mani, Zen’Nobia, Ember, J’ana EmanDre,

Emmanuel, Emauje),

Elizabeth (Grn: Darylah, Javon), Malachi, Jade

Alex & Misty Vesey: (6) Shayla, Jonnaya, Alanah, Emilliana, Alex Jr., Quinton

Paul Vesey: (3) BreAsya, Jeremiah, Kaidence

Yolanda & LC Coffey: (8) Hezekiah, JC-Leeyah, Izabella, Hilda, Ruben Jr., Josephina, LC Jr., Josiah

Terry Vesey: (3) Bianca, Nyla, Galaxy

Deloris & Charles Sr. Holmes: (4) Charles Jr., Ca'Mora, Cy'rie, C'Niyah

Dorothy’s Grandparents, Parents, Uncle’s & Aunts, Brothers & Sisters, In-Laws

West & Jemima (Job 42:14) Pigram(Pilgram)

Buddie (Westly)

Earl

Porter

Frank

Lemon

Albert

Asie

Vera

Viola

Alice Jean (Tutt)

Beatrice (Bae)

Maggie Mae (Magg)

Thelma (Ginny)

Joe & Mary Lou Stewart

Joe

Jessie

Willard

Edward

Fred (FreddieB)

Alfred

Stanley

Emma Pettie

Idella Wallace

Marie Vesey

Arlie Bonner

Earlene Phillips

Elnora Glover

Betty Greenleaf

Della Washington

Nathaniel Greenleaf

Rotanza Lawrence

Alex & Victoria (Queenie) Veasely (Vesey) D

(2 Sons names missing)

Buster

Mister

Willie

Clayton (Clay)

T.J. (Ray)

Alex Jr. (Junior)

Lillian Buchannon

Jewell (Jude)

Juanita (Neat)

Idella

Marie Steward

Dorothy Mae Vesey, 80, of Rock Island, IL, passed away on October 30, 2024, at the University Of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 16th, at 11 a.m., with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at the Pentecostal Church of God in Davenport, IA. Repass - Dinner is prepared next door in the Fellowship Hall; all are welcome. Burial will follow on Monday, November 18th, at Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, IL.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on her Memory Page at wendtfuneralhome.com.