Dorothy L. Davis

Dorothy Louise Kelley, daughter of the late Russell and Carolyn Kelley, was born on December 4, 1927 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the fouth of five children, all of whom (Ruth, James, Ralph and William) preceded her in death. She peacefully departed this life in the presence and love of her daughter on December 30, 2011.

Dotte, spent her childhood growing up in Cincinnati’s Lincoln Courts. She loved to laugh, had a quick wit, and generally enjoyed life. She was born into a talented and music-loving family. The sound of the family’s player piano became a source of joy to her. Dotte learned to play the piano at a young age and, though she grew to enjoy many types of music, she excelled at playing classical and religious music. She would often say what she cared about most in her life was M&M (Monica and Music).

At the age of eleven, Dotte was baptized into the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church by Pastor F.C. Phipps. It was at this time that church service became a central part of her life. Dotte had a beautiful singing voice and would often share her vocal talents during church service and for special events. In her younger years, she loved playing the piano for church groups such as the Choralaires, playing for Sabbath School, and playing for church service. In her free time, Dotte diligently read books on choral conducting and orchestration, which lead her to forming and conducting the Shiloh Mass Choral for almost forty years. Dotte also learned to play the pipe organ and shared her talents as a church organist and organ teacher.

In 1946, Dotte attended Salmon P. Chase College and graduated with a degree in secretarial science. She immediately went to work for the United States Federal Government in the Department of Defense. In the early 1970’s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed and Dotte left the Department of Defense to help launch this newly formed division of government. She stayed with the EPA until her retirement, giving 45 years of dedication service. During her retirement, Dotte decided to go back to work part-time through the Urban League and was assigned to her old division at the EPA. She retired permanently in 1995.

Dotte met her husband-to-be one evening in 1959. When leaving a friend’s house, Dotte called for a cab to take her home. The cab was driven by Morris Davis (1926-2005) of Abbeville, Georgia. Morris persistently courted her and on December 30, 1961 they were married. Their union lasted ten years and produced one daughter, Monica Yvonne. Dotte’s dream of becoming a grandmother finally came true in 2003. The joy of her retirement years was spending time with her two grandchildren, Alexandria and Jordan.

Dotte leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter Monica Davis Bell (Ronald), her beloved grandchildren Alexandria and Jordan Bell, a host of nieces and nephews and friends.