Dorothy E. Manley

Reverend Mother Dorothy Elizabeth Dunston Manley, 97, a seven-decade resident of Middletown, NY, passed away on July 25, 2024. She was born on May 12, 1927, in Littleton, NC. Reared by Rev. and Mrs. Sidney G. Dunston, she developed a zeal and dedication for Christ and His people. Mother Manley married Deacon Forest C. Manley and relocated to Middletown, NY. They had three children: Anthony, Elaine, and Lisa. In the late 50’s, the family joined the Second Baptist Church where Mother Manley served as a Sunday School teacher, deaconess, missionary, and on the senior choir.

Mother Manley was very involved in her community: she volunteered with Meals on Wheels; the Girls Scouts of America; local PTAs; Jack and Jill of America; and, the local NAACP. She was involved in various local church-based, civil rights activities, including membership and voting registration drives. She set up free daycare and afterschool care in her home for black schoolteachers who needed services for their own children. She spent a lot of time working with the local interfaith council to bridge communities of faith together.

She helped with creating food pantries, clothing banks, and crisis services throughout the community. She worked with local churches to set up annual vacation Bible school for children. She even took care of chronic and terminally ill members of her church. She simply believed ‘If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain.” Mother Manley was well known for her singing at local churches. She loved Mahalia Jackson’s rendition of “Without God.” She served as a local chaplain and later conducted weekly services at local nursing homes.

She retired from OCCC/Suny Orange food services after 27 years of service. This merely provided her more time to serve her community. Along with her daughter, Elaine, their ministry included caring for HIV/AIDS patients; home and hospital visitations; providing housing to the homeless; and, caring for special needs children and adults in their homes. In all their giving, they never asked for anything in return. They simply lived the Gospel of Christ.

Mother Manley joined St. Paul’s Baptist church under Rev. Robert Davis and later Bishop Ray Anthony King. She continued to teach Sunday School; served on the Deaconess board and choir; and, availed herself as a spiritual mentor to many. She was instrumental in coordinating efforts to burn the church’s mortgage in the late 90’s. She served in the Central Hudson Baptist Association’s Women and Minister’s cohort(s) for over 60 years.

In the Fall of 1998, this woman who had found favor with God was called to the ministry. She humbly spoke about her years of running from “the call” and how God would use her in her later years; she was 73 years old. She was extremely self-deprecating yet unapologetically sold out to Christ! When she stood in the pulpit, she would yell out to the congregation “ Tell God, thank you!”

In 1985, she graduated from Matthew’s Bible Institute, Monticello, NY. In 1986, she received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Christ Theological Seminary, Brooklyn, NY. She graduated with honors and perfect attendance. She continued postgraduate courses in biblical studies.

Even in her later years, Mother Manley’s light continues to shine. On Sundays, she loved attending Sunday School and sitting in her special spot for church service. She continued to serve her neighbors by preparing meals and goodies every week. She loved watching sporting events with her son during the NBA/NFL seasons; always cheering for Lebron, Giannis, and Mahomes. Mother Manley lived. She loved people. She emptied herself in the pulpit and at the altar.

She is predeceased by her biological parents, Charles Jones, and Lilly Dunston; her surrogate parents, Rev. Sidney G. Dunston and Mrs. Lucy Ann Dunston; her husband, Deacon Forrest C. Manley; her daughter/daughter-in-law/ adopted, Elder Elaine Marcel Manley, Carmella Brisbon Manley, and Myrna K. Harris.

She is survived by her son, Anthony F. Manley; her daughters, Lisa A. Manley, Karen Hunt McPherson, Jackie Redmond, Alice Jenkins, and Joyce Patterson; her son-in-law, Ralph Redmond; her grandson/great-grandson, Tony M. Manley and Quaadir Manley; her goddaughters, Rev. Helen Linsay and Dorian Alston; her treasured friend of 65 years, Lavern Bea; several Manley/Dunston nieces, nephews, and cousins; her St. Paul’s Baptist Church family; her extended Walkill Living Center family; her trusty companion, Shiloh; and, several communities of faith in Middletown, NY.