Catherine Deloris Dortch

  It was well with God that on April 14, 1931, Catherine Delores Phillips Dortch be born.  Our Heavenly Father gently and calmly called her to live with him at 6:02 a.m. on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.  Catherine is the second oldest of 4 children born to the late James E. Phillips and the late Rosebud Hunter-Phillips of Greenville, Alabama. 

     Catherine, at the age of 19, married Claude Von Dortch in 1952 at the courthouse in Montgomery, Alabama and to that union was born 12 children.  

     Her parents, husband (Rev. Claude V. Dortch), one sister (Elizabeth “Joree” McCurdy), two brothers (James E. Phillips and William “Frankie” Grimes), daughter (Dorothy Jean Phillips), two sons (Michael and Joseph Dortch), preceded her in death. 

Her Love of Church and Ministry:

     Catherine loved life and lived each moment to the fullest.  One would indeed find a virtuous woman in Catherine.  According to God’s holy word, her worth is greater than rubies.  She began her early Christian experience at Mt. Olive A.M.E. church in Fort Deposit/Greenville, Alabama.  After relocating to Valpariso, Florida in 1954 and then on to Crestview, Florida in 1963, she later became a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist church where she along with her family served faithfully for many years and held numerous positions.  In the early 1980’s, she and her family joined Evangelistic Outreach Ministries Church of God by Faith, Inc., Crestview, Florida under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Theodore Powell.  The Dortch family was one of the founding families to assist at the start of Crestview COGBF.  Catherine continued to serve faithfully at the COGBF under the leadership of Elder Theodore Chamberlain until her health failed.  She was serving as the Church Mother, Church Clerk/Treasurer, Adult Sunday School teacher and a long-standing choir member.

 Her Love of Education and Civilian Vocation:    

     Catherine attended public schools in Greenville and Fort Deposit, Alabama and a class of 1949 graduate of Lomax High School, Greenville, AL.  Catherine completed an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Okaloosa Walton Junior College (known today as Northwest Florida State College) in Niceville, Florida.  Catherine and her husband moved to Crestview, FL in 1963.

     Catherine served the community as a Head Start teacher in Okaloosa County for eight years, a kindergarten substitute teacher for many years, a teacher’s assistant within the Okaloosa County Jail with the Adult Education program for nearly two years and as a library assistant for one year.  She passionately continued advocating for childcare education as Board Member and Coordinator for the Family Outreach Program during the mid-1980’s, she later became a childcare provider until hired full-time as a teacher’s assistant at Edge Elementary in Niceville, FL where she retired in 2003 after 12 years of service.

     Catherine continued her involvement in education by serving on Parent Teacher/Student Association boards, School Advisory Councils at the elementary, middle and high schools for all the years her children attended Okaloosa County Schools.  She was also past President of the Concerned Citizens Group, past Community Involvement President for the American Cancer Society, past President of the All Sports Booster Club at Crestview Senior High School and she was a current member of the Order of the Eastern Stars Crestview Chapter for over 20 years.  Catherine was known for her tireless efforts to help humanity.  She visited the sick, cooked food for the community, provided clothing, visited the prison, hospitals, convalescent homes, interceded for others in need of prayer, anyone who needed a helping hand, provided transportation for families and raised some of her grandchildren.     

     Treasuring her memories are her daughters, Vivian Dortch, Angela Dortch, Cynthia Dortch-McCain (Walter), Linda Dortch-Lozier (Robert), Shirley Coleman (David), Sheila Jones (Andrian), and Greta Dortch.  Her sons, Anthony Dortch and Paul Dortch (Malissa).  A host of grandchildren (Five Generations), nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends.

     A time of visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home from 6-8 pm.  The celebration of Catherine's life will be on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 11am at the Crestview Community Center with burial to follow in Springhill Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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