Dorothy May (Stewart) Marshall

Dorothy Marshall of Grand Rapids MI, transitioned on March 19, 2018.   Legacy farewell service will be held on Monday, March 26,2018 at New Paradise Baptist Church, 287 S Crystal Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and services beginning at 11:00 am.

God’s Appointment

Dorothy May (Stewart) Marshall, age 79, was born on May 24, 1938 to the late Will and Mary E. Stewart, in Marked Tree, Arkansas.

A Time to Live

Dorothy was the second child born to Will and Mary Stewart. In 1953, the family moved to Benton Harbor, where she attended Benton Harbor High School. Later that year she met and married Lee Marshall. To that union three children were born. Dorothy returned to school to continue her education and graduated from Benton Harbor Area Schools GED Program in 1975. She worked in various job capacities throughout her life in order to support her family. In the year of 1957, she united with the New Paradise Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Walter Smith. Her membership was strengthened in the year of 1960 when Pastor Willard McAfee was elected. After Pastor McAfee resigned and relocated to Muskegon, she remained faithful in the leadership of Pastor Willie T. Burton as she continued serving in many roles as usher, senior choir member, pulpit circle chairperson, and whatever support she could give.

For years, she served in the Union Missionary Baptist Association District Senior Women Missionary Auxiliary, and the General Baptist State Convention’s Women’s Ministry (12 years). Mother Marshall loved people and helped to raise many children while the parents worked. For over 14 years, she served as a volunteer with the Area on Aging in the Benton Harbor Area Schools foster grandparent program. Seldom did she complain about her physical condition or the suffering she endured.

 Everybody knew Mother Marshall because she would encourage you, cry with you, call you and help you in anyway she could.

A time to Rest

On March 19th at 2:30 a.m., God decided that it was time for her to depart from this world and rest in His arms. He wanted to reunite her with her mother, her father, her son, her brother, her great-parents, and so many family members and friends who went home before her.

A Time to Remember

Memories are left in the heart of her two daughters: Delores Robinson of Benton Harbor and Betty (Brian) Hill of Kentwood, Michigan; Patricia Pratt whom she raised as her own from a child; Charmain Stewart (niece of sister Armor Stahl); Sisters: Alma Butler, Armor Stahl, Ernestine Williams, Linda (Tyrone) Harris; Brothers: Isaiah (Barbara)Stewart, Larry (Carol) Stewart, Levone Stewart, and Cletus Stewart.

She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Tony (Shadene) Marshall, Charmaine Letitia Marshall, Antoinette Marshall, Nadia (Shatawn) Brigham, Geneva Hinton, Darneatta Hinton. She is loved by 10 great-grandchildren: Derius Marshall, Pierre Marshall, Derian Marshall, Marvin Jones, Kiarre Marshall, Sierra Marshall, Imani Brigham, Anthony Marshall, Eueontaye “Nia” Skervin-Marshall, Laila Brigham. She was blessed with 1 great-great grandson: Carter Marshall. 

She raised DaCorey Chaney as a grandson and had two God-daughters: Donna Davis and Angelica Satterfield. One uncle, Jessie “Friday” Knight; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Two special friends of 67 years: Allene Partee and Ethel Amos. A very dear friend, Rose Hubert, who traveled to state conventions for many years and became as close as sisters (“Love you, Rose”); her other close friend and sister: Josephine Burton, who was a confidant and supporter of her family (“Thanks, Josie”). According to Mother Marshall, “There are not enough words or time to tell all of the people who touched my life what I would like for you to know, but just know that I am a child of God and love all of you dearly.”

She was preceded in death by her parents: Will and Mary Stewart; one brother Will Stewart; and her only son, Jerry Duane Marshall.

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