Dorothy Jean Cherry was born on March 16, 1933, in Saline, LA, Bienville Parish, to Anna Mae Patterson and Walter Coffee but was lovingly raised by Aunt Icey and Uncle Jewel Moore. She attended a one-room schoolhouse called Morning Star Baptist in Louisiana, where she completed grades 1st to 6th. She then attended Shady Grove High School for 7th to 9th grades before moving to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1949, where she attended Phoenix Technical High School, and completed courses in stenography.
Dorothy met the love of her life, Cornelius Emanuel Cherry in high school. Dorothy wrote, “I had seen him driving by our house during the summer. He would slink down in the car seat and look at me, and, I told Billie, ‘My Aunt Icey had told me; Never say you won’t have someone, because that’s who you’ll end up with’, But, I said, That’s someone I wouldn’t have on a Gold Christmas Tree! Then, when I saw him on the PE field, I was attracted to him.” They married two weeks after graduation on June 19th, 1952 and their union lasted 65 years until Cornelius's ascension in 2017.
Dorothy worked for Phoenix Urban League as a secretary until January 1953, when she then took on the role of a devoted wife and loving mother, and later as the secretary and bookkeeper for the family business, Manuel Cherry and Son Plumbing. In 1966, she joined Motorola as a Line Supervisor in the Semiconductor Division, retiring after 28 years of loyal service.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cornelius, their daughter Maria, along with her sisters Joyce and Billie, and two grandchildren, Kushanta and Brenton. She leaves behind a rich legacy embodied by her six children: Verliddia, Antoinette, Emanuel, Armieda, Jameselle (Gerald), and Llynette. Dorothy's legacy extends through her 23 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren, and the anticipation of five more additions to the family!
Dorothy lived her life in faith, she loved crocheting, fishing, gardening, talking, and being the family historian, and we would be remiss if we didn’t mention her affinity for spending time at the casino with her big sister. She was “The 411!” Remarkably, despite her extensive family tree boasting of 125 descendants, Dorothy ensured each one felt special by personally recognizing and celebrating their birthdays by mailing cards with $$$. Most importantly, she was an anchor for her family. She cherished the relationships in her life, especially her closest and oldest friends Ms. Rose and Ms. Priscilla, brother-in-law Tony Martinez, nieces, nephews, cousins, and anyone she came in contact with.
Mamma wrote in her final days, “I know that I should not worry about the future of all of my loved ones, seeing what is happening in the country now, because I know that it is all in God’s hands. But, still, I pray that he will watch over my people.”
A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM, Funeral Service at 11:00 AM followed by the graveside service all at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery 401 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257
