Dorothy Y. Chisolm

Dr. Doreatha was born on June 15, 1958, in Rock Hill, SC, in York County, to Isiah and Daisy White Chisholm. She slipped away quietly on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Doreatha was affectionately known as “Dorothy.” She was the tenth of twelve children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, James, Isaiah, Willie James, Roy Lee, Rev. Roosevelt Howard, Larry, and Alexander; and sisters, Dorothy and Daisy Mae Mitchell.

Dr. Doreatha was educated in the York County School District and attended Rock Hill High School. She and one of her brothers relocated to Port Huron, Michigan, in search of a better way of life, where she graduated from Port Huron High and received her associate's degree from St. Clair Community College. She attended Cosmetology School in Michigan and welcomed her first child, Michelle Chisolm. Soon afterwards, she moved to Washington, DC, in the early 80’s. She continued her education at Montgomery College, where she received her Degree in applied science in 2000 and went on to receive her Master of Science in 2006 from the University of Maryland. She later earned her Doctorate from Strayer University, fulfilling a lifelong commitment to education and excellence.

Doreatha was employed with the Montgomery County Department of Mental Health while she volunteered at the community for Creative Nonviolence from 1989 to the early 1990's. Dr. Doreatha welcomed a set of twins in 1992, Vivian and Victoria Chisolm. She fiercely raised her twins with her three granddaughters, Shadai, De’Marie, and Paris. She loved children and switched to a career she loved in education, where she began teaching Special Education with Montgomery County Schools in 2004 and retired early in 2016.

Missionary Chisholm served the Lord with gladness, but more importantly, she served Him in word and in deed. She joined Kelsey Temple Church of God in Christ in the late 80’s. She was a member of the Young Women’s Christian Counsel from 1990 to 2000. She assisted in the Outreach Ministry of the church, giving away clothes and food, but more importantly, sharing her testimony and the word of God to those present. She was part of the Missionary Circle. In 1996, she started a “Praise Dance Ministry” at the church. They performed locally, at Jurisdictional Meetings, and competed in the Praise Dance Competition at the AIM Conference. The girls won five years in a row! They even performed at the White House, East Garden during the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Doreatha also served the Jurisdictional Youth Department, where she worked untiringly. Doreatha was a “crazy praiser.” Her testimony was “you don’t know like I know, what the Lord has done for me!”

Doreatha leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved children, Her Girls, Michelle, Vivian, and Victoria; six grandchildren, Shadai, De’Marie, Paris, LJ, Jy’Asia, and Lajada; two great granddaughters, Silayah and Aliyah; one sister, Hattie Bell Ross; a sister-in-law Buelah Chisholm and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and amazing long-life friends.