Deloris was born to Rueben and Marie Washington on May 30, 1949 in Selma, Alabama. She graduated from Francis Parker High School in 1967 and headed to Northeastern Illinois State University and studied Mathematics. During this time she worked at Moody Bible Institute as an assistant to help operate their first computer system. In March of 1970, Deloris married Donald Francis Guest and together they had 5 children. Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce 10 years later and Deloris never remarried. Always wishing to complete her undergraduate degree and wanting to serve as a role model for her own children, she returned to school and graduated in 1990 from Chicago State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (OT). In September of 1990, after hard work and dedication while raising five kids, Deloris passed her Occupational Therapy licensure exam and began working as a certified OT. In the spirit of her giving back, she went on to help others obtain their Occupational Therapy license.
She leaves as her legacy 5 children: Dorcas Guest-Nelson (Tyler), Daniel Guest, Dana Davenport (Jay), Dawn Guest-Johnson, David Guest (Heather). Her most proud legacy was that of her 14 grandchildren, Jay, Malcolm, Navon, Tayvon, Sydney, Danielle, Giselle, Brandon, Brady, Max, Bill, Daniel, Bear, and Joseph. Deloris also leaves behind 2 siblings, Barbara Johnson and Ruby Lana. She was preceded in death by Marie Washington (mother), Rueben Washington (father), her Aunt Ellen (Albert) and her brother Sonny.
Deloris fostered independence, grit, and resilience with her five children. She supported their talents and pushed them to be the best that they could be. She focused on making sure her children received the best education to meet their individual needs. She was an expert at early childhood development and would not hesitate to engage in learning through play with all of her children and grandchildren.
Deloris was a woman of faith, knew her Bible, and was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ. God called Deloris home on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. She will be forever loved and remembered for her missionary work with the youth, her community, and her church family.
We hope you can join us for a virtual memorial on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 3pm Central standard time in lieu of a traditional funeral at this time. To register, please send your email address to [email protected] by Friday, May 29, 2020. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trinity United Church of Christ, https://www.trinitychicago.org/giving/, in honor of Deloris Guest. We also would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love, support and kindness during this difficult and surreal time and we wish you all to be well and blessed.
Please remember our Mother’s words, as she would repeat to all of her children all of the time, John 3:16, which reads: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
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