Dorothy Rae Miller's Obituary
Dorothy Rae Freeman (Dottie) was born August 1st, 1938, to Ben J. Freeman and Hattie Rae Freeman, both of Fayette, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Andrew Elliott Kelsie III, and her husband, Robert Miller. She accepted Christ at early age, attending Holy Angels Catholic Church.
Dottie began her education at Holy Angels grammar school, then attended and graduated from Wendell Phillips High School, both located in the historic Bronzeville area of Chicago, IL. Throughout her life, Dottie was a voracious learner and staunch advocate for education, not only for herself but for everyone. She used to say to her sons, “fake it until you learn it, but you gonna learn it.” She began her journey to higher education by attending the City Colleges of Chicago and then Loyola University where she earned a Master of Science/Child Development
Dottie was a lover of knowledge. She loved to obtain it, and she loved to share it. To this end she became an educator and throughout her life she worked and served in educational environments specializing in early childhood development. Her last place of employment was director of Paulo Freire Center, an early childhood development center for Chicago Commons.
Dottie loved her family, friends, colleagues and a lot of times, strangers too. She and her husband Robert (Bobby) had known each early on in their lives but fell in love later and got married. And because of their knowing each other, for like forever, their families from previous marriages knew each other as well (Babette, Andrew III, Rhonda, Eric, Bobby Jr, Steven, Rosalyn). Dottie and Bobby loved, music, arts, education, their heritage and their families. They would often plan family outings and vacations in which the entire family would attend.
Dottie also loved all of her family members from her previous marriage (Andrew Jr) with special love for Irving, Mildred, Marion, Lewis, Marion and Joseph.
As afore mentioned, Dottie loved her family, with a very special love for her sisters, Shirley, Judy, Janice, Cookie and her brother, Benny. And it is almost without saying that she had a never-ending love for all the nieces, nephews, cousins, grandkids, great grandkids as well. Her love was the epitome of “you are not what you say, you are what you do”.
Dottie was also a lover of her faith and her God. This love began early on for her and blossomed throughout her life. She was an avid reader of Bible and of scholars. Her yearning to know more about her faith so that she could live accordingly and share abundantly led her to seek higher learning at Tampa Bay Bible College where she earned a Doctorate of Christian Education. Dottie’s strong faith and belief in God was definitely an influence on her children and everyone she came in contact with.
Dottie loved her church family at Dream Center Church and Business Center and they loved her! She loved being involved in ministry planning, ministry events, and particularly Christian education. Just a few years ago Dottie, Rev. Dr. Steven D. Kelsie and the church administration team developed, launched and rolled-out Life Source Child Development Center which was open to the entire community. Education was her sweet spot, and education done as ministry was her dream come true.
Dottie also loved her far away church family, Zion Faith Center Bible Church, J. Eric Kelsie, MDiv. When she would visit Chicago, she would participate in the “get in where you fit in” model, which for her meant everything she could participate in. She loved the people there and they loved her!
Dottie leaves to cherish her memories and legacy: Judith and Antoinette (sisters); Benjamin, (brother); Bobette, Rhonda, Rosalyn/Barry (daughters); John Eric/Monica, Robert Jr/Carol, Steven (Sons); and a trailer load of family and friends.
Service will be live streamed:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/
Event ID: 65991
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