Josephine Elizabeth (Chestnut) Dortch

Josephine affectionately known as Tanna, age 99, one of fourteen children born on May 1, 1922, to the late Willie and Julia Chestnut in Minter, AL., was called home to spend eternal life with the Lord on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Josephine was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Goodman Dubold Dortch, Sr., loving and devoted children, Edward Lewis Chestnut, Goodman Dortch, Jr., angelic twins, Floyd and Florence Dortch, Ira James Dortch, loving and devoted daughter-in-law, Sharon (Cowan) Dortch, loving and devoted son-in-laws, Edward Cowan, Jr. and Jack Hallman; granddaughters, Gabrielle Elizabeth Dortch, Elizabeth Marie Cowan, and grandson, Edward “Scooter” Cowan, III. She was a devoted and longtime member of St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church on Hobbs Avenue where she was a founding member of the Matrons, member of the Missionary Society, and the L. Simmons Choir, until she united with Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Josephine received her early education from Mt. Calvary Lutheran School, in Minter, AL.

Josephine devoted her life in holy union to Goodman Dubold Dortch, Sr. In this union they fruitfully multiplied and were blessed with 15 loving and devoted children which she leave to cherish her memories: Juliette Hallman, Columbus, GA, Zella Cowan, Mobile, AL, Mary Robinson, Peekskill, NY, Charles (Sylvia) Dortch, Maurice (Barbara) Dortch), Shirell A. Dortch, Mobile, AL, Felicine “Phillip” Dortch, Sr., Augusta, GA, Ina Dortch, Prichard, AL, devoted caregivers, Angelita (Darryl) Hickman, Prichard, AL and Audrey Dortch, Powder Springs, GA; loving and devoted great-niece, Beverly Dulaney, loving and devoted daughter-in-law, Jackie Dortch, Mobile, AL; loving and devoted goddaughter, Linda Thomas, Lawrenceville, NJ; devoted other children, Carolyn (Lawrence) Harris-Rankins, and Darryl (Cynthia) Harris, Lawton, OK, Charles (deceased) and Mary Eaton, Prichard, AL, (neighborhood son and daughter) and loving and devoted caregivers, Mary Harrison and Delores Robinson with Senior Companion Program; her very loving and devoted baby sister, Mary Chestnut Bonner, Birmingham, AL, devoted and loving sister-in-laws, Wanda Chestnut, Troy, GA, Aldeen Williams, Charlene Finklea, Mary Finklea, Livonia, MI; loving and devoted brother-in-laws, Herman Finklea, Mobile, AL, SB Finklea, Detroit, MI; loving and devoted grandchildren, Lendra (Kurt) Coleman-Bouchillon, Los Angeles, CA, Samantha (Murray) Milligan, Beacon, NY,  India Antone-Cowan,  Angela Dortch Eatmon, Mobile, AL, Gerard Coleman, Denver, CO, Cherie Dortch,  Birmingham, AL, Leander (Kristen) Coleman, Atlanta, GA, Tomecia Dortch Watts, Mobile, AL, Sherrica Spence, Marietta, GA, Charles (Betty) Dortch, Belews Creek, NC, Terrace Dortch, Sr., Mobile, AL, Gregory (Ki'Isha) Dortch, Atlanta, GA, Charles Robinson, Newark, NJ, Keisha Gordon, Sean Gordon, Peekskill, NY, Timothy (Alicia) Cowan, Marietta, GA, Niya (Ronnie) Richardson, Sherron Dortch, Jamal Dortch, Mobile, AL, Ophelia Coleman, Columbus, GA, Goodman (Felecia) Dortch, III, Kathleen, GA; Sidney Bettis, Darielle Hickman; Lawrenceville, GA, Kaeland Chatman, Powder Springs, GA, and Felicine Dortch, Jr. Augusta, GA, Chandler Jones, Mobile, AL; great-grandchildren, Randall McKinney, twins Brandy and Brandon McKinney, Yazmine Cowan, Edward Cowan, IV, Kenya, Brianna, Chase, Janessa, Ramont, Chase Charles, Sanaya, Tabitha Dortch, Jameelah Abdul Hakeem, AJmal Eatmon, Shaakirah Eatmon, Kourtney Dortch Watts, Kory Watts, Kelson Gilliard, Kelsey Gilliard, Justin Spence, William (Kourtney) Spence, Chance Robinson, Zara Michelle, Terrance, Dortch, Jr., Jessica Davis, Teaira (Damon) Jackson, Kourtney Davis, Ashleigh Robinson-Coleman, Melissa Williams, Alexus Coleman, Taelar Yost, Victoria Dunlap, Saquan Anthony, Matthew Cowan, Maykala Dortch, Aaliyah Bettis, Ayina Richardson, Alana Richardson, Amani Richardson, Ava Richardson, Autumn Richardson, Iraca Jackson, Acari Jackson, Torres Ransom, Jr., Tyler Ransom, Issac James and Lillie Anne Dortch, Sanaa Bettis, Melah Hickman-Coker; great-great-grandchildren, Camila, Ava, Elizabeth McDaniel, Alaini Rose, King Jack, Kory Watts, Jr., Kayson Watts, Kannon Watts and Dallas Jackson; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

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