Dorothy Payne-Yehudah

Dorothy Payne-Yehudah, of Willoughby, Ohio was born in Tyler, Alabama on July 7, 1943. She passed away on September 6, 2022 in Willoughby, Ohio. She was 79 years old. Dorothy attended Tyler Union High School, Medgar Evers College, Cuyahoga Community College, and Dyke College. She was a Youth Counselor with the City of New York Youth Services Agency. She founded and developed a youth program for runaway kids and was an avid civil rights activist.

Dorothy was excessively loving and caring, no one was a stranger to her. Her door was always open to everyone. She fed the community from her table and her garden. She was an unwavering, righteous woman. She introduced Hashem to everyone she encountered. Within the first 5 minutes of meeting anyone, regardless of age, color, or creed, she adopted them as one of her children or grandchildren with love and care. She was truly angelic and will be missed forever.

Dorothy was married to Zebekiah Ben Yehuda for 40 years. She is survived by her children Maeteevah Payne-Yehudah, Yehudhe Yehudah, Yashua Ben Yehuda, Love Samuel, Dan (Jessica Yehuda) Payne-Yehuda, Queen Decode, Melody Hundley, Chason Alston, Maurice Amerson, Minnie Christopher, and Teshia Cunningham. Dorothy was a devoted and caring grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin.

She is survived by her sisters Geneva Haralson and Peggy Shivers. Preceding her in death are siblings Geraldine Sawyer, Charlie Mac Payne, Joe Williams, Roosevelt Steele, Jr., Earl Crowell, Gardenia Steele White, and Barbara Rainer.

Her grandchildren are Nahshon Yehudah-Rodgers, Ty'Ree Yehudah-Rodgers, Yashua Wilkinson, Elijah Harris, Reona Amerson, David Yehuda, and Asher Harris. Her great-grandchildren are Judah Rodgers, Jaxon Levi Rodgers (dc), Genesis Rodgers, Azai Wilkinson, and she has a host of bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dorothy enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading the Tanach, sewing, walking, and spending time with her family. She was a holistic health enthusiast.

Dorothy was a previous member of Beth Shalom Temple in New York City and a member of Hadassah.

Services will be held Sunday, September 18 at 11 AM at the Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel 1985 S. Taylor Rd. Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Interment at Mt. Sinai Cemetery.

Family and friends who are unable to attend the service may view it on Sunday, September 18 at 11 AM by going to BKBMC.COM, scroll down to obituaries, click on the obituary of Dorothy Payne-Yehudah, scroll down to join live stream, and click on 'join live stream'.