Michele Elaine Dotson-Gathright, 35

Michele Elaine Dotson-Gathright of Ridgely was called home to be with God on Monday, March 5, 2007, at Easton Memorial Hospital. She was 35.

She was born April 14, 1971, from the union of Ray Linwood Dotson and Beatrice Joyce Gwynn.

Michele was educated in the Philadelphia public school system and graduated from the Philadelphia Academic Academy. Michele received a diploma for Medical Assisting from National Education Center, Philadelphia in October 1993. Michele also received a Certificate of Achievement for Completion of Workplace Foundation Skills Training "Working to Unite Families" from Temple University, Philadelphia in September 2001. She received a Certificate of Participation in completing Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) in March 2003.

Michele relocated to Ridgely in 2002, where life started over for her. It is here where she rededicated herself to Christ and adopted a new church home. It was here that she became self-employed and her top priority was her family. She was very involved with her daughters' lives from volunteering at their school to rushing off to dance class. Whatever they needed or wanted, she made sure they had it.

Michele is the perfect example of perseverance and determination. She had her time of struggle and by the Grace of God she made it through. When someone wanted to count her out or give up on her, she never gave up on herself. She fought hard to be a mother that her children could look up to, a devoted partner that took care of home and a friend that could be depended on. Michele was a family member that will always be loved.

She is preceded in death by one brother, Michael Womack.

She leaves to mourn her passing her loving life partner, Harry Roland Gathright of Ridgely; three daughters; Shanya Price of Philadelphia, Michele Dotson and Aisha Gathright both of Ridgely, two sons; Edward Gathright and Malik Gathright both of Philadelphia, her father, Ray Dotson of Philadelphia her mother, Joyce Holman of Philadelphia her brother, Michael Dotson, two sisters; Tamiko LaDuna and Shira Womack all of Philadelphia, her stepmother, Lances Womack of Philadelphia, her grandmother, Virginia Dotson of Ridgely, special friends; Sharon Harvey, Iisha Berrymand and Katrina Mallory and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Services will be noon Wednesday at New Hope Baptist Church, Ridgely, where friends may call two hours prior. Burial will be at Cokers Cemetery, Greensboro. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, Del.