Mrs. Dorothy Mae (Leach) Dockery

     Mrs. Dorothy M. Leach Dockery was born on January 31, 1936 in Columbus County to the late Earnest Leach and Marilda Leach George. She departed this earthly life on Sunday October 16, 2022.

     Mrs. Dorothy moved to Lumberton at an early age and lived with her aunt, the late Mrs. Theola Baldwin Dockery and her family, where she was a big sister to her children.

     She attended Columbus County, Lumberton City Schools and Adult Basic Education at RCC. She and her cousin the late Edna B. McComb walked back and forth to their job at Carlton Court Motel. She later worked at Temptation Hosiery and Gerber Children’s factory for many years. The job she loved most was cooking and feeding her community at Kash and Karry Café, where she was fondly called “Ms. Dot.” Every Sunday we gathered at mommas for dinner after church. She fed anybody that wanted home cooked meals.

     She joined First Baptist at an early age and remained a faithful member until her health declined. Ms. Dockery served in many capacities at the church, including the choir, soloist, usher board, nurses aid, trustee wife, Sunday school teacher, youth council advisor, mother, young people’s choir, pastor’s aid ministry, January birthday leader, and mother of the year.

     Mrs. Dockery was recognized by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for outstanding contributions to her community. When the pandemic struck, she continued her ministry by telephone, calling and checking on church members and friends.

     Mrs. Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories to her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, James “Billy” Dockery Sr., four children, Gwendolyn D. McKiver (Darrell), Rosalind G. Dockery (Belton Graham, fiancé), of Lumberton, NC; James “Bill” Dockery Jr. (Wanda) of Hope Mills, NC; France Renee Williams, of Durham, NC; grandchildren, Barrington Dockery (Jacqueline) of Fayetteville, NC; Yasmine A. McKiver, Joyden McKiver-Kimpala (Ado) of Charlotte, NC; Khalia Williams (Joshua) of Youngsville, NC; Victoria Williams of Greensboro, NC; and Jamilia Williams (Donnis) of Hope Mills, NC; five great-grandchildren, one sister, Mary Vereen of Chadbourn, NC; Step-siblings, Dorothy Dockery, Christine Burke (Hugh), Jessie George (Gwendolyn), Daisy Freeman (Roy), and     Eugene George (LaVerne), devoted friend, Mrs. Deloris “Peanut” Jennings, extended family, Berry-Leazer and a host of nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends. Dorothy will be missed by so many who loved and knew her.

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