Mother Dorothy Cropper graced the Earth for over 95 years. She was one of seven children born to the late Bernice Justice Marshall and the late Clarence Marshall Sr. All of her siblings preceded her in death: Catherine, Madeline, Louvenia, George Henry, Virginia, and Clarence Jr. Their birthplace and homestead was in Horntown.
She married Gardner Leroy Cropper Sr., on January 24, 1948, at the Maryland State Line. Four children were born from their union: Eveline Sylvia Cropper, Gardner Leroy Cropper Jr. (deceased), Mardine Garnet Waters, and Lisa Cropper Johnson.
Dorothy had dozens whom she took as her daughters and sons, including the Rev. Greta Belote, Debra Wharton, Evangelist Francine Payton, Deacon Sonny Townsend, the Rev. Milton Bunting, Richard “June Bug” Robbins, Ricky Wharton, and many more.
She was educated in Accomack County. She attended elementary school in Horntown and Mary Nottingham Smith School in Accomac.
Oh the stories she told of her school adventures! Dorothy retired on disability from Campbell Soup Company, Pocomoke City, where she was employed for 15 years. Dorothy often recalled her days working in the fields, at the tomato factory, and on various other jobs.
Dorothy loved talking on the phone, taking care of plants, and planning for special days at church. At Tabernacle Baptist Church, she was a church mother, deaconess, and Sunday School teacher. She led the Pastor’s Aide ministry for over 50 years and was vice president since Lisa became pastor. Dorothy was a missionary, and she could be found faithfully in her favorite front row seat unless her health was an issue.
She leaves her legacy: her daughters, Eveline and Lisa (Tim), of Horntown, and Mardine, of Newport News; her grandchildren, Eric (Michelle) Townsend, of Richmond, Markita Cropper, of Greenbackville, Melodie (Adrian) Waters-Smith, of Hampton, Timothy (Leivy) Johnson Jr., of Horntown, and Timisa (Dexter Jr.) Johnson Davis, of Baltimore; her great-grandchildren, Ashia, Jalah, Eric II, Grace, Makhya, Cameron, Carahn, Travis, Kayden, and Dexter III “Tre”; her nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with her “adopted” granddaughter, Frankie Marshall, and special “boyfriends,” Cory Johnson, Sherwood Toppin, Tyreik Morris, Wayne “Bally” Bagwell, and Kirk Knox (dance partner).
She will be missed.
Funeral services will be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Horntown, on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. with a visitation at 11 a.m. the same day at the church. The service will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook Live.
Services are being conducted by the Bennie Smith Funeral Home.
