Dorothy B. Fonville ''Dot''

'' She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She Watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ''Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'' Proverbs 31:25-27, 29. Dorothy means GIFT FROM GOD Dorothy Fonville was indeed a gift from God. Tall in stature, there was not a room she entered which she did not gift others with her confidence, charm, bursting personality and bold words. She lived the life she spoke about. Born on June 16, 1947, Pike County, Alabama, Dorothy was the seventh child gift born to Jeffery Park (JP) and Alma Baker. Soon after birth, Dorothy was given the nickname ''Dot''. Dot was precious gift to the Body of Christ. She was raised in the church; she was active in both the Pentecostal Temple COGIC (Detroit, MI). Most recently, she became active at Wootson Temple COGIC (Clermont, FL). In 1969, Dot married her then husband Charles Stringer, and in 1970, the gift of a bouncing baby girl was born, Marlyce ''Shell'' Stringer. Shell is, for sure, her mother's match. A graduate of Hillcrest High, Dot was excited to pursue cosmetology at Trenholm Vocational, but she would not stop there. She continued her educational studies in surgical tech Wayne Community College (Detroit, MI) and University of Detroit Mercy. Dot gifted her skills and training for over 30 years at Detroit Receiving Hospital, now DMC. Relocating from Alabama to Florida to Michigan, Dot was blessed when she met Thomas (Tom) Fonville. In 1990, Dot and Tom deceived to become one in the gift of love and marriage. In 2006, Dot and Tom decided to trade in their snow shovels for the sunshine state of Florida. It was then they relocated and settled into Leesburg, Florida. Dot and Tom loved to travel, and they could often be found cruising the seas to various destinations. The gift of family was foundational for them both and their travels would always lead them home..... Detroit, Michigan for Tom and Brundidge, Alabama for Dot. Dot was a lover of bowling, cooking, and family. A voice for many, she was a Life member of the Lake County NAACP and Lake County Democratic Black Caucus, President of the Pastor's Aid Committee, Deaconess Missionary at Wootson Temple COGIC, where she was lovingly called ''Mother Fonville'' ''Life is a but a stopping place, A pause in what's to be, A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity.'' Dot was preceded in death by her loving parents, J. P. and Alma Baker, siblings: Margaret Catherine Baker, Mary Bell Richards, and Annie Ruth King and her devoted husband, Thomas "Tom"Fonville. Dot is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Marlyce "Shell" Stringer of Bradenton, FL; siblings: Albert (Mildred) Baker, JoAnn McGuire, Jeffery "Jeff (Willo) Baker, all of Brundidge, AL, Alto "Bug" (Mattie) Baker of Inkster, MI, Sarah (Frank) McWilliams of Headland, AL, Lorenza "Pete" (Vallanda) Baker of Troy, AL, Susie Nell (Leonard) Copeland and Michael Baker all of Bradenton, FL. Dot is also survived by a host of nephews and nieces, whom she loved dearly; in-laws Audrey Winters of Macomb Township, MI, James Welch of Cleveland, OH, Louis (Donna) Thomas of Detroit, MI, and Dorothy Orange of Miami, FL. Never forgetting the gift of love, kindness, and dedication; her sister Susie (Nell) was her caretaker as she grew ill up to her last breath. "And when the journey finally ends, We will claim a great reward, And find an everlasting peace, Together with the lord"

Tributes

Dorothy B. Fonville ''Dot''

June 16, 1947 - October 19, 2022