Service
Friday, September 23, 2022| Wake: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m.
New Life Christian Center|9844 Mallard Drive| Laurel, MD 20708
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 835 7798 9232
Passcode: 123694
Interment
Ivy Hill Cemetery |1201 Sandy Spring Road |Laurel, MD 20707
Obituary
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
To God be the Glory that He blessed this humankind with Doris Louise Tillotson on September 6, 1944. Doris Gamble-Tillotson of Thomaston, Alabama, made her journey home to be with the Lord and loved ones who awaited her heavenly arrival on the morning of September 12, 2022. She was the fifth child of eight children born to the loving union of the late Brooks and Mary Frances Gamble, Sr., from Marengo County, Thomaston, Alabama. Doris was preceded in death by four sisters: Eula Gray, Ella Reese, Odessa, and Pearlie Mae; and three brothers: Willie, Brooks, Jr., and Bobby Frank.
Doris received her early education in Alabama and later in East Chicago, Indiana. At a youthful age, Doris’s family moved to East Chicago, Indiana where she graduated from George Washington High School. Doris enrolled in nursing school to receive her LPN degree. This was the beginning of her passion to serve and help people, especially children in the pediatric unit at St. Catherine’s Hospital. In 1995, Doris relocated to Maryland to be with her daughter to continue her passion for children. This inspired her to create “Grandma’s Daycare” out of her home in Laurel, MD. Doris’s first retirement was in Indiana at the Youngstown U.S. Steele Mill. Her second retirement was in Maryland from Grandma’s Daycare.
At an early age, Doris met the love of her life, the late Edward Austin Tillotson. This was a union of friendship and marriage lasting over 7 decades. They were truly soul-mates and had the same values for and connections with family. Their union resulted in two children, Sherill Tillotson-Peters, and Tommie Neely, Jr.
Doris, also affectionately known as “Doris, BAE, Moot, Auntie, Granny, Ma Doris, and Mother Tillotson,” was exceptional from birth. Anyone who knew Doris, would say she was LOVE and LOVED the LORD. Her heart of gold, sweetness, self-lessness, being very inspiring, well-respected, and full of wisdom greeted you whenever you met her. From Alabama to Indiana to Maryland, Doris met no strangers, and you became her life-long family friend. Even the children in the community loved and respected her and her husband. Doris touched thousands of people’s lives even during her illness. Her daughter, Sherill was with her mother every step of the way honoring and caring for her mother.” The medical staff expressed deep sadness when they heard the news of Doris’s transition.
Doris could COOK. Her corn-bread dressing was like no other-- a meal on its own. That pineapple-coconut cake is her legacy! It was so moist and good that one would be fighting over the crumbs.
Doris encompassed family. She was the last surviving sibling. Most of her siblings transitioned early on in life. She naturally stepped into the role of becoming the Matriarch to her nieces and nephews. Doris was known to be “always there” asking, “what you need me to do for you?” Doris was full of joy and laughter with a profound sense of humor. She spared no rod. She would say, “bring it on down here.” You accepted that punishment in love. Even in her discipline, Doris showed her love afterwards by saying “now, go get a piece of candy or cake.”
Doris was a praying spiritual advisor. Her love for the Lord was reflected in her truthful, honest, and straightforward conversations. She always blended the Lord’s words and His ways with realistic values.
Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are: daughter, Sherill Tillotson-Peters, son, Tommie Neely, Jr.; Five grandchildren Larry King, Ervin Edward Williams, Shamiya Neely, Shantyl Neely, Thomas Neely: 5 Great-grandchildren, Langston, Adeline, Braylon, Austin and Zara: 5 God-Daughters; and a host of MANY nieces, nephews other step-brothers and sisters, daycare family and children, relatives and friends.