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Dorothy Mae Worrell , 81 of Washington. D.C. departed this world on to her heavenly home on the evening of December 10, 2020 at Washington Hospital Center.

Dorothy Mae Worrell was born to the late John Jasper Jones and Fannie Mae Freeman Jones, on March 18, 1939; the seventh child in Courtland, Virginia. Dell (she was fondly called by everyone), was raised on the farm of Church Ridley and worked extremely hard. Dell went to Ridley Elementary school up to the 7th grade and then attended Southampton Training School through the 11th grade, which was the highest grade.  She walked to school every day, approximately 2 miles to the Elementary School and 1 ½ miles just to catch the school bus that took her to Southampton Training School.

Dorothy met her late husband, of 57 years, Arthur Lee Worrell (affectionately known as Bigboy), in high school in 1953. They left Courtland in 1956 and migrated to Washington, DC. Dell was 17 years of age and Bigboy was 19. They were married on April 16, 1956. Through their union four children were born.

Dorothy was a stay-at-home mom until the family moved into their first and only home on Nicholson Street, in 1966. She started working for the United States Postal Service, in which she served from October 6 to June 30, 1967. The work was extremely hard with long hours which made Dell decide to seek employment elsewhere. Dell found employment at the Upshur Dental Clinic as a receptionist from 1967 until she transferred to DC General in November of 1980 as a clerk typist for Dr. Jacqueline Stewart. She remained there until her retirement on March 31, 1995.

As a child, Dell had dedicated her life to the Lord. She was a member of Bryant Baptist Church in Courtland, VA where Bigboy’s Uncle Jimmy was the Senior Pastor. After moving to DC, Dell became a member of First Baptist Church of North Brentwood, MD on May 2, 1965; serving the Lord in various ways. Dell, with her sisters (Ginny, Matt, Ruth, and Harriettalong with Loretta Butler, Odessa Poole, and Linda Wallace), served as a hostess starting in 1965 until she stepped down in the year of 2000. Dell also was responsible for the Saturday church school lunch program. She created the menus, ordered the food, alongside Milton Boone, and assist in preparing lunches on any given Saturday. Earlier years of Saturday Church School, Dellregular Saturday was fourth Saturday, which the main meat was fried chicken. Dell stayed with the lunch program until 2016. Dell’s most favorable mission in serving the Lord was when she became a Deaconess on September 1, 1976 and she served in that position until her death. Her faith in God never wavered. Dell was one of the oldest members which she had the opportunities to worship in all three of the church structures.

Dell and Bigboy’s favorite pastime were gardening. Out of their garden, they canned everything they grew. A special moment was when Annie Boone came over and was sneakingdownstairs trying to grab of jar of whatever goody was in that jar. Bigboy was in the basement sitting in a recliner. Before he could ask her what she was doing, Dell called out loudly, “Come upstairs, Annie.” Annie would just laugh with her big wide smile and say she wanted a jar of goody.

The word, “FAMILY”, meant a lot to our parents. Ourparents not only shared blood relationships with their sisters and brothers, but they were all best friends. We grew up having a lot of cousins, who were also our friends. Not only were holidaysspecial to the family, but every day was special. On any given day, we would be at an aunt’s house or they would be at our house. Anyone who came to any one of their homes always felt welcomed and left there as a family member. Dell and her sisters were good cooks.  Something was always prepared for you to eat. Dell was known for preparing everyone’s favorite foods.  During the holidays, the house would be packed with family ready to eat her chicken-n-dumplings, strawberry cheesecake, and sweet potato pies.

Dell leaves to cherish her memories and continue her legacy, four children, Robin Cobbs of Atlanta, Ga.; Donna Hall (Sherwood) of Washington, D.C.; Arthur Ricardo Worrell (Fontella) of Upper Marlboro, Md.; and Ronnie Worrell (Robin)of District Heights, Md.; Agnes Muse (niece like a daughter); eight grandchildren, Bridgette Bridges (Donnell); Curtis Clark; Robert Jones; Paulette Hall; Arthur Worrell; Darishea Rollins; Victoria Worrell; Regina Worrell, three great-grandchildren,Cidney Bridges; Morgan Bridges; Summer Walker; two god children, Shani Boone and Alize Walker, Jr.; and two sisters, Ruth Webb of Lanham, Md. and Jane Brown of Williamsburg, Va.  Dell also leaves behinds a host of nieces and nephews, other family members and friends. She also leaves behind to cherish her memories her former neighbors, good friends (Gracie McCormick, Thelma Freeman, and Hattie Lipscomb) and her and Bigboy’s long- time friend, Rev. Perry A. Smith, III.

Dell and Bigboy are together once again and rejoicing forever more in God’s heavenly place.

Thanks to all the family members and friends who helped Dell through times of her radiation and chemo treatments.

Arrangements by J.B. Jenkins Funeral Homes, Inc.