Dorothy Lenera Kirk

Dorothy grew up initially on State Line Road near Bethany, Louisiana (LA), where one side of the road is TX and the other LA. As her five siblings became school age, the family moved to Shreveport, LA. Dorothy was a part of the legendary pep squad and a proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, LA. During this time, she became close with her cousin Earma Caldwell Stephens. Upon graduation, Dorothy attended Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (renamed Prairie View A&M University) to major in Dietetics that was located under the School of Home Economics. She remained in place two and a half years (1954-1957). Cousin Earma went to Grambling State University but they stayed close.

Dorothy then headed west to Dallas, TX, for employment. She initially lived with her cousin and his family, the Reverend Obadiah Jernigan in North Dallas. This is where her close friendship became sealed with Reverend Jernigan's daughter Revorda Jernigan Phillips.

While in Dallas, she met and married the love of her life, Jessie Kirk, Jr., on 7 March 1959. The wedding was officiated by Reverend Jernigan in his church in South Dallas. After their marriage, they moved to Southwest Dallas, where UT Southwestern Medical Center now stands. Six years after their union and two years after Donald's birth, they moved to Oak Cliff in 1965, where they raised their two sons, Donald and Dietrich.

After their arrival on Sutter Street in Oak Cliff, her youngest brother (Luther, Sr.) met Jessie's youngest sister (Jewel). After this union, they lived in the guest house of Dorothy and Jessie. Luther and Jewel later purchased their home 10 minutes away from Dorothy and Jessie, where the two families saw each other daily.

Dorothy started and ended her working career as a line chef, primarily in the salad department for Little Bit of Sweden, Jimmy Deans, Union Bankers, and Wyatts Cafeteria. Jessie and Dorothy also managed Pinkey Restaurant. In the interim, she did some clerical work. She also worked in the Jim Walters Warehouse. In addition, she worked in Taylor Publishing and primarily worked on the publishing of the surrounding schools year books. Her health began to fail in 1982 and she was no longer able to work.

Dorothy's cooking and baking skills were legendary and was loved by all. Everyone's memories included her chicken pot pies, chicken tetrazzini, German chocolate cake, pound cake, etc. However, Uncle Luther's favorite was her annual Christmas fruit cake.

After their marriage, Dorothy and Jessie raised their family in the Community First Baptist Church, which eventually became Greater Community Baptist Church. They loved their Church family dearly and as the leadership of the church changed, they were never forgotten. They were both visited by their church elders' moments before they each took their last breath.

As Dorothy's health began decreasing, her husband Jessie believed it was his duty to care for her. During this time, her brother Luther and his wife visited daily prior to Jessie's retirement. Jessie was later assisted by niece Sand Walton, followed by cousin Vordare Phillips Adkinson (Revorda's daughter), and their eldest son Donald.

Her sister Julia Stephens Robinson visited and called often. She was Dorothy's initial care taker after each medical procedure, until she passed in 2003.

In retirement, Dorothy continued to receive daily calls from Cousin Earma, in Kilgore, TX, where they cut up and carried on daily. Cousin Revorda, who lived three blocks away, stopped by her home several times per week as she took breaks between her Mary K clients.

Dorothy and Jessie, never missed a funeral (CA, East and South TX, or Northwest LA), or a family reunion or fellowship with the church. They believed in keeping their love ones near and dear to their heart and in return their family members loved them back.

Despite Dorothy's disabilities she traveled multiple times to where her youngest was stationed in the U.S. Air Force, to include Nebraska and the Florida Panhandle. Dorothy especially loved the white sands of the FL panhandle beaches and especially loved to visit the only black owned restaurant on Panama City Beach. The owners made her feel so special.

Eventually in 2016, Dorothy required around the clock care, and was admitted to Desoto Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was visited daily by the love of her life, Jessie and son Donald. However, her youngest brother would visit her at breakfast daily and sneak in a couple donuts for her each week.

In early 2017, Jessie fell and broke his hip and was never able to walk again. He then joined Dorothy in the same room at Desoto Nursing. At the end of 2017, they were both moved to The Traymore at Park Cities, where they were loved and cared for, until they both took their last breath in 2020 and 2024 respectively. At Traymore they received numerous visits from family, friends, and church members. They especially enjoyed spending the holidays meals with their loved ones that were prepared by Chef Becky and her amazing team. After Don retired in January 2023, Don spent his time visiting and caring for his mother at Traymore. He fed her three meals per day, as she gradually lost her ability to feed herself. 40 days after Donald passed, Dorothy also took her last breath on 6 March 2024, and the day before her 65th Wedding Anniversary.

"Family"

Dorothy Kirk is survived by her son Dietrich Kirk (Sandy).

Her brothers, Luther E. Stephens, Sr. (Jewel), and James Stephens, Sr. (Cassandra).

Her in-laws, Jewel Dean "Tinshi" Stephens (Luther), Verna Stephens, Agathus Robinson, Cassandra Stephens, Clementine Kirkpatrick, Lola Garrett, June Heusner.

Her nephews/nieces, Anthony Stephens, Bradford Stephens, Luther Stephens, Jr., Christopher Stephens, Cedric Stephens, Jackie Stephens, James Stephens, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Jacqueline Robinson, Katie Kirk, Doyle Lee Kirk, Lois J. Kirk Spicer, Doyle Kirk Jr., Annie Marie Turner, Robert Kirk, Jr., Alice Kirk, Lina Mae Kirk, Calvin Kirk, Central Louise "Poochie" Carter, Ethel "Jennie" Fegan, Sandra Walton, Sammy Kirk, Ann Kirk, Makeba Kirkpatrick, Kizzy Neale, Jamaal Kirkpatrick.

Her cousins, Ester Jean Evans Anderson, Traevis Anderson, Raydolf Caldwell, Imogene Harris, Stanley Hawkins, Loriann Hawkins Moore, Sanford Stephens, Howard Stephens, Jr., Patryck Stephens, Kimberly Bryant, Bernadette Stephens.

And a host of other family, friends, and neighbors.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Kirk, Jr., and son, Donald Kirk.

Her parents, Marshall Stephens and Leodia Conner.

Her brothers, Richard "Candinar" Stephens, Marshall Stephens.

Her sister, Julia Stephens Robinson.

Her brothers-in-law, Willy D. Kirk, Doyle C. Kirk, Lonnie Drew Kirk, Robert Berry Kirk, Oreal "Jake" Kirk, Clarence Russell "Bill" Kirkpatrick.

Her sisters-in-law, Minnie Mae Kirk, Lula Mae Kirk, Mannie Faye Kirk, Geneva Kirk, Rosie Lee Kirk.

Her nephews/nieces, Willie D. Kirk Fuller, Willie Lee Kirk, Betty Jean Kirk Robinson, Billy Kirk, Raymond Walton, Shirley Faye Stephens, Pathina Faye Stephens,

Her cousins, Moses Earl Anderson, Ravis Anderson, Edgar and Annie Mae Conner, Hazel Marie Connor Taylor, Jaqueline Conner Sabbath, Prince Earl and Mary L. Conner Caldwell, Howard and Earma Caldwell Stephens, Sr., Joseph Caldwell, Richard Caldwell, Betty Caldwell, Lawrence and Revorda Phillips, Vordare Phillips Adkinson.