DOROTHY MAE MITCHELL

  (watch the 12 minute video at the bottom)

Dorothy Mae Mitchell, age 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday,
October 2, 2022, in her devoted daughter's home in Fort Washington,
Maryland. She was born in Hensley, Arkansas to Lewis Barnes and Lacy
Swenny-Barnes on November 27, 1935. Dorothy was the 13th child; she
grew up not knowing her mother because Mother Swenny passed away
while she was an infant. One day, while playing with candles and matches
with family members, a terrible accident occurred that left Dorothy
severally burned. Through spiritual guidance, her father became her
doctor, nurse, and bodyguard for many years. Family members referred to
her as "the baby that got burned". Through time, the burns healed, and
Dorothy learned to shoot a shotgun very well. She shot at and missed a
young man who later became her husband.
She moved to Michigan and gave birth to Robert, Ray, Steve, Brenda, and
Pamela. While in Michigan she worked as a maid for Howard Johnson
hotel and a cook for the Canteen company at the local elementary school.
She enjoyed being a dedicated member of St. Michael Parish where she
was given an award for her service. She enjoyed cooking, organizing the
home, and raising her children and grandchildren, she loved being a
mother. She was a fan of most western picture shows and favored shows
with Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, and Charles Bronson.
We must add Chuck Norris from Texas Ranges and Sidney Poitier and
Howard Rollins Jr. from In The Heat Of The Night.

As a mother, she always presented love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. When things went bad, she
would say, "be careful while you're in the lion's den and pray until you
can get out".  As a cook, she was known as "the MacGyver of the Kitchen"
when the kitchen presented no food in the cabinets, she would find
food to feed the children. 

She leaves to cherish her love;, children Robert, Ray, Brenda,
Pamela, grandchildren Kanisha, Katrisha, Aurelia, Steven,
Cheraire (Robert) Montez, Karena, Cedrick (Melanie) Monica,
Jonathan, great-grandchildren, Peter, Phoenix, Pearson,
Kaniya, Skyler, Samuel, Steven III, Tatierra, Roddress, Cherod,
Xavier, Quanitria, Xavier, Venessa, Emory, Naomi, Elijah, Mya,
and great-great-grandchildren, Kamon, Kennadi, Steven,
Novi, Tristan and Wakeem. Dorothy is now returning home to Arkansas connections: nephews Theotis (Thelma) King,
Leonard (Annie) King and nieces Bertha Jackson, and Juanita Patterson, and a host of other relatives and friends. She will join her son Steve and grandson Quantavien in death’s deep sleep until the rapture.

From Steve to mom;  Thank you for never giving up on me, all the sacrifices you made, and staying strong for me. You were always there for me even when I was still trying to figure life out. I know you knew how much I loved you and no day will pass that the bond between mother and son will ever be forgotten. You raised a boy to be a man who became a father and grandfather who loved his family. You taught me to get beyond my today and live for tomorrow. To not look at my current situation and get frustrated. Take those frustrations and use it to make my life and my children lives better. Thank you Mom, I'm waiting for you in heaven.

For more information, sign online guest register, send flowers/cards/condolences/photos and light an "In Loving Memory Of" candle. WWW.KELLYSMITHFUNERALS.COM. 

Family hour 12:00-1:00 p.m. (CST), and Catholic Mass (funeral services) 1:00 p.m. (CST).

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WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CONTINUE TO LIGHT A CANDLE ON THIS MEMORIAL PAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAYS, MONTHS AND YEARS TO COME. ESPECIALLY, DURING DAYS OF SPECIAL EVENTS, i.e. BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, ANNIVERSARY AND THEN ON DAYS WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO OR ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONES FOR NO SPECIAL REASON. 

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