Doretha Mitchell Herring, 81

BRIDGEVILLE - Doretha Mitchell Herring, of Bridgeville, daughter of the late Gracie and Clyde Mitchell, departed this life on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. She died of natural causes. She was 81.

Born on March 16, 1925, in Drivers, Va., Doretha was educated in the Portsmouth, Va., public school system, before coming to Bridgeville, where she continued her education at the Phyllis Wheatley School.

She was the widow of former well-known barber, Lacy Herring Sr.

In Bridgeville, Doretha worked as a laborer at H.P. Cannons and Dulaney's.

When she wasn't working, she was being a housewife and a mother to her children and grandchildren.

Doretha will be remembered as outgoing to all who knew her.

Her favorite pastimes were working on circle-a-word and word-search puzzles. Doretha became a whiz at such puzzles.

Her leisure time included watching her favorite television shows: "Matlock," "CSI Miami," "Columbo" and various news programs.

Her most favorite spots were sitting on her front porch, leaning over her washing machine and looking out the window. Doretha would often respond to people inquiring as to her actions that, "I am watching the world go by."

Doretha was a caring and compassionate person.

She loved her family, and was always willing to open her home to offer support and assistance to her family members as well as others in need.

She earned the nicknames of "Ms. Doretha," "Doe-Lo," and "Mom-Mom" by those who loved and cared for her.

Doretha accepted the Lord as her Savior at Power in Praise Ministries in Harrington, and she loved to share how great God was to anyone who would listen, especially in her latter days.

In addition to her parents, Doretha was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Dorothy Herring; one son, Frankie Bacon; five brothers, David, Alphonzo Lee, James, John, and William; and one sister, Mary White.

She will be missed by two sons, Lacy Herring Jr. of San Diego, and Larry E. "Butterball" Herring of Delmar, Md.; one daughter, Patricia "Patty Cake" Herring, who was her caregiver, of Bridgeville and of Seaford; two daughters-in-law, Charlie Herring of San Diego and Delores Bacon of Newark; seven grandchildren, Terrell (Tanya) Herring, Eugene Herring, Nathan Herring, Charlene West-Hall, Tyrone Kilgoe, Lovetta and Barbara Jean Keaton; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Iona "Aunt Bey" Hazzard of Seaford; three brothers, Vernon "Honey" Cook of Frankford, Thomas Cook of Bridgeton, N.J., and Robert Cook of Brooklyn, N.Y.; one sister-in-law, Marie Cook of Brooklyn; a special and devoted friend, Tyrone Scott of Dover; two goddaughters, Carol Grant and Pam Alston; one godson, Birtram Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Mount Calvary United Methodist Church, Church Street, Bridgeville, where Pastor Marion Kilgoe will officiate and Elder C. D. Cannon will deliver the eulogy.

The Rev. Baron N. Hopkins is the host pastor.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Interment will be in Middleford Cemetery.

Arrangements by Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Services, Greenwood.