Dorthia Mae Stathum, 83 of Long Branch, NJ was born September 22, 1937 in Buena Vista, GA to the late Nathaniel Stathum Sr. and Bessie Williams Stathum. Dorthia's passage to heaven was on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family. Her family was part of the Southern Migration north in 1952, when she was 15 years old.
Upon arriving in Long Branch, the Stathum family were pillars in the Trinity AME Church on Liberty Street. Dorthia was an ambitious young woman. At age 15, she sucessfully applied and obtained a job at Monmouth Medical Center in the kitchen, while attending Long Branch High School. When she graduated from high school, she continued working at Monmouth Medical and obtained training as a CNA. After a few years, Dorthia successfully transitioned her personal service skills to the banking industry. She worked and retired from First Atlantic Credit Union in Oceanport, NJ.
Being a progressive Black Woman, retirement was not in her DNA. Dorthia made another career change and went into the field of education as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher for the Long Branch Board of Education. Her passion for sharing knowledge and love of helping children made this position a labor of love, until she retired in June 2000.
Throughout the years, Dorthia had an ongoing desire for personal self-growth. She constantly challenged herself at each stage of her accomplishments. She graduated from Monmouth County Vocational School Pre-natal Center. She continued to build on her educational pursuits by obtaining an Associate's Degree in Human Growth and Development from Brookdale Community College. Dorthia heard the Lord calling her into the ministry. Once again, she achieved yet another milestone in her personal and spiritual growth. She attended the Faith International Training School receiving her Evangelist Certification. Her missionary journey took her to Mt. Zion AME Zion Church, Eatontown, NJ where she was licensed as a local preacher on October 30, 2019.
Dorthia's love of the Lord and her passions to comfort and minister to others came full circle when she began her volunteer services as a Greeter at Monmouth Medical Center. She provided great comfort and prayer to many patients and their families over the years.
Through her love of life and giving to others; she was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend to many. She enjoyed fun times laughing with her family and friends, bowling, traveling, gardening and cooking. She gave back to her community in many ways and her community embraced and loved her in return. Dorthia was a Commission Member of the KJ525 Philanthropy Club. Walking the path now with Dorthia are her husband, Edward H. Johnson Jr., son Derek A. Johnson, parents Nathaniel Sr. and Bessie Williams Stathum, sisters Christine Bell and Mattie Stathum, brothers Willie C. Stathum, Nathaniel Stathum Jr., Willie "Beboy" Stathum Sr. and Billy Stathum.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Star Johnson-Cleveland and Darien Cleveland (son-in-law), Long Branch, NJ; son Mark E. Johnson and Karla L. Johnson (daughter-in-law), Neptune, NJ, sisters-in-law Brenda Johnson Bouldin, Long Branch, NJ, Annie Stathum Gary, Bloomfield, CT, Lydia Best Stathum, Red Bank, NJ, Janice Farrow Stathum, Long Branch, NJ, Beatrice Gordon Stathum, Long Branch, NJ; grandchildren Ashlyn, Torey, Briana, Jade, Marquis, Darien II and great grandchildren Amani and Cameron and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
was deeply saddened to learn of Ms. Johnson’s passing. I knew her as Commissioner Johnson through her dedicated service on the Board of the Long Branch Housing Authority. Warm and welcoming she put all at ease and was always kind and complementary to all of us who work for the LBHA. I will miss seeing her smile at our meetings. She will be deeply missed.
Volunteer Services at Monmouth Medical Center was so shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Dorthia’s passing. There are no words to express what a wonderful, caring, dedicated and inspirational person Dorthia was. As a Volunteer Ambassador at Monmouth Medical Center, Dorthia ensured the nursing units received fall and sleep kits for the patients, donated hats and blankets, and performed discharges and patient escorts to appointments. She ensured our supply closet was organized and in perfect order. I can recall that she surprised me and came into the office on Christmas Eve last year to help me organize the closet. Dorthia will be missed each and every day at Monmouth Medical Center.
Star and Mark, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother, you have my deepest sympathy, my prayers go out to your whole family,she was such good friend and great love for the Lord, family and friends,she will be missed dearly by me also, love and prayers to the family.
My friend “Dottie Mae” was an amazing person and I will miss her. She was a woman of integrity and had a strength that oozed comfort to many people in the church, the schools and the community. Her faith in the word of God was deep; loyalty to Him was everything.
There have been those moments though, when all we could do was laugh at Dottie Mae’s jokes and some of her real funny stories! She was so much fun! She was quite amazing!
My deepest sympathy to Star, Mark, the Stathum and Johnson families. May her soul rest forever in Heavenly peace.
Joan Bartee Minor
The Stathum and Johnson Family
Me deepest sympathy, love and prayers????are with the entire family. You have lost a Giant whose shoes can not be filled. Cherish her legacy and memories for the rest of the years. She took up her wings and Fly Fly Fly high to the sky, into the masters hand who was waiting to put her by his side. She may be gone but never will be forgotten. I will miss you, Mom Dot and I love you ❤ so.
Sincere condolences to my fraternal brother Mark and his entire family. I am truly sorry for your lost.
With deepest sympathy,
Karma Williams-Davis & Family
Condolences ? to the Johnson family ?????? To all
RIP Ms. Dorthia Job well done!