LEON DAVID DORSEY, SR.

 

 

     Leon David Dorsey, Sr., b February 10, 1909 in Perry, Falls County, Texas, d September 8, 1986 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried there in Peaceful Rest Memorial Cemetery - was one of ten children of Columbus Brittin and Celesta (Merritt) Dorsey, who married in Falls County on October 10, 1903. Columbus B. Dorsey was a son of Murrell and Jane (Harrison) Dorsey. Jane was b April 10, 1876, d December 23, 1928, being burned to death - a daughter of Sam and Mary (Irvin) Harrison, of Mississippi. Celesta (Merritt) Dorsey, b December 23, 1893, d May 24, 1964 and buried in Billinger Cemetery at Riesel - was a daughter of Silas Merritt.

     Leon David Dorsey, Sr. was a 1931 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Marlin, and attended Paul Quinn College in Waco in 1931 and 1932. By profession, he was a Mortician and Funeral Director - owning the business and serving actively as president of the Dorsey - Keatts Funeral Homes, Inc., and Dorsey Funeral Benefit Association. The original business was founded in 1923 by his uncle, Mr. Isaac Edward Dorsey.

     On January 16, 1934, Mr. Dorsey was married to Althea Fay Hutchings (called "Fay"), a native of Falls County, and a daughter of Byrul and Adeline Mozelle (Dee) Hutchings. Mozelle (Dee) Hutchings was a daughter of Robert and Cinderella (Lang) Dee, of Falls County, Texas. Mrs. Dorsey worked with her husband in their business throughout the years.

     The Dorseys have been very active in church, civic, and community affairs, and he served as a member of the Marlin City Council, and of the Executive Committee of the Heart of Texas Boy Scout Council - having the distinction of being made a Century Member of the Heart of Texas Boy Scouts in 1973. He was a member of the Marlin Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Marlin City Planning Commission, and a member of the Marlin N.A.A.C.P. The Dorseys were members of the Marlin Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, and she continues to be active in all phases of church work. He was a past chairman of the Board and past president and past treasurer of the Independent Funeral Directors Association of Texas, and he also served as first vice - president of the Texas Association of Life Insurance Officers.

     Mr. Dorsey was a 33 degree Mason of the Masonic Lodge of Texas, a past Grand Joshua (1970 - 1973), past court director (1974 - 1975), and Vice Grand Joshua (1976 - 1977) of the general conference of Grand Courts of Heroines of Jericho Prince Hall Affiliation. In 1967, he was the recipient of the coveted award of Mortician of the Year.

     Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey were the parents of two sons:

     Leon David Dorsey, Jr. - married first in Falls County, Texas on November 25,1956 to Mrs. Carol Arlene (Grayson) Taylor, and they had five children: Leon David Dorsey, III, b March 3, 1957 in Falls County, who married in Falls County on May 24, 1983 to Alberta Bailey Dodd, and has issue; Althea Rene Dorsey, b April 4, 1958 in Falls County; Larry Donald Dorsey, b June 14, 1959 in Falls County; Carolyn Ann Dorsey, b October 23, 1960 in Falls County; and Alberta Denise Dorsey, b February 11, 1962 in Falls County. Leon, Jr. was married second to Jewel Jeanette Joe, of Palestine, and they had David Joe Dorsey, b October 28, 1971. Jewel is head of the Vocational Homemaking Department of Marlin High School, and Leon, Jr. is Chairman of the Board and manager of the family business of Dorsey - Keatts Funeral Homes, Inc., and Dorsey Funeral Benefit Association - now managing Dorsey - Keatts Funeral in Mexia.

     Robert Dee Dorsey - married in Falls County, Texas on April 3, 1966 to Anner Bess Fisher. Only one child has been identified: Robert Dee Dorsey. They live In Waco, Texas, where he is affiliated with the Dorsey - Keatts Funeral in that city. They have two children.

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 120 column 1 and page 121 column 1 and 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.