SUNRISE September 5, 1938
SUNSET October 3, 2021 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021
Visitation - 12:30pm | Celebration of Life 1:30pm Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church 4600 S. King Drive | Chicago, IL 60653 Rev. E.F. Ledbetter, III
Dorothy Mae Gale was born on September 5, 1938, in Hollywood, MS. She was the precious daughter whose life was entrusted to the love, care, nurturing, and life stewardship of her parents, Eddie & Sallie Wright. Dorothy was the 2nd oldest out of 5 siblings. Following her mother’s teaching Dorothy accepted Christ at a young age while attending Macedonia Baptist Church in Tunica, MS. At church is where she recognized her vocal ability where she then joined the choir. During her teen years Dorothy met and married the love of her life Leon Gale, the two were married for a total of 48 years. From this union they had 5 children. Years after their divorce they still remained friends, there was never a major event or holiday where you didn’t find Leon there. Although Leon wasn’t biologically the father of Dorothy’s oldest child Pearl and her youngest child Lela he still raised them as his own. At the tender age of 18 while pregnant with her third child, Dorothy and Leon packed up they’re family and headed up north to Chicago, IL. While being a housewife, Dorothy used all that she’d learned from watching her momma and Nanni. Like sewing, decorating, and cooking along with her own skills this is when she developed her love for cooking. If you ever had the chance to have met Dorothy, you learned real quick about her passion and how serious she was about cooking. In 1977 Dorothy began her career with the Chicago Public School system with a title of cook at Dunbar Vocational High School. During her time at Dunbar she prepared the teachers and staff members they’re lunch. During her 25 years as an employee who have never called off. Her spin on lunchroom food soon took noticed not only by Dunbar, but to people who worked outside of Dunbar. Over the time frame while Dorothy was blessing the kitchen at Dunbar. Other employees of different sectors around the city started visiting Dunbar’s kitchen just to purchase a meal prepared by Dorothy. There were Chicago police officers, staff members from nearby schools, waste management employees, park district employees, Michael Reese hospital employees, delivery guys, she even had some of the board members from CPS coming just to taste Mrs. Gale food. After Marriot took over the kitchens for the Chicago Public Schools. It wasn’t long after the turnover when the right person from corporate had a chance to witness Dorothy’s way around the kitchen. She soon earned the title of head chef, which also meant a boost in pay. Soon Dunbar became a staple to host evening upscale events, with Dorothy spearheading the events. During her time there she definitely made an impression and changed the outlook on the typical boring school lunch. If you were to run into some who graced Dunbar’s kitchen back then they would definitely testify to the fact you were able to get some delicious food there. During her 83 years of living and right up until she was stricken with covid. Dorothy was still preparing huge soul food dinners. In the Gale household there was never a dull or hungry holiday that went by where she didn’t produce feast that fed many. Not only on holidays did Dorothy cook but there were also the in between times too. As a grandchild you really looked forward to spending a night with granny. You already knew that there was going to be a huge breakfast being served on Saturday morning. Once granny yelled “breakfast is ready” you better come quickly to eat. Everybody knows that granny didn’t play about taking your time to come and eat after she have slayed in the kitchen. You can be late if you want to, (warning enter that kitchen at your own risk) lol! She made cooking look easily done, before you knew it the kitchen was
all cleaned up and now she’s focused on Sunday’s dinner. Sunday dinners at granny’s was a true delight, the amount of food that granny had prepared. Would allow for you to take home some leftovers for the next couple of days. Often her family would ask her at times, “Granny, why do you cook so much food at one time?) Always ready with a sassy remark, she would replied, because thats what I like to do. If you don’t want to eat it, then you can go eat at some fancy restaurant. One character trait that Dorothy posses so well is “strength” she was definitely a leader, a very strong lady who was not afraid to speak her mind. Even her own kids knows that no one can make Dorothy do anything unless she wanted too. Although they’ve had plenty of conversations in the past with their mom about not allowing the grandkids to eat or have certain things. Which was a waste of time because no matter what mommy & daddy says. Dorothy is going to fix or give her grandkids whatever they ask for. She would then tell the grandkids tell your parents i said that you can have it, “what are they going to do to me because they can’t whip me. Lol! Dorothy preached to all of her family about being strong, as well as them watching her setting an example of exhibiting strength. She did not believe in you crying or complaining about something that didn’t turn out right. She couldn’t understand and disliked when she witness a family member of hers being vulnerable. She always quoted do not waste time over spilled milk, just pour you another one, if someone mistreat you then they wasn’t your friend in the first place, if one way doesn’t work find another way, along with plenty more of Dorothy’s sayings. After retirement Dorothy enjoyed just being around her family. She babysat her grandkids as well her great-grand kids. Dorothy wasn’t just known for just feeding her family. She enjoyed sending food as a token of love to her friends and neighbors too. Besides cooking Dorothy past time favorite is watching & gossiping on the phone with her daughter bunny and niece Carlene about her soap operas; the bold & beautiful and the young and restless, she also love, loved, loved her westerns, and of course listening to the blues. Having contracting the covid virus back in may of this year. Along with losing her daughter Patricia to virus, and not being well enough to attend pat’s funeral. Dorothy’s health quickly started declining. On October 3rd, 2021 @7:40pm in the comfort of her own home and surrounded by family. Dorothy had succumbed to her battle of covid along with several other ailments that developed due to the virus. Celebrating her life and cherishing her memories, she leaves her life partner Leon gale, 4 children; 2 loving sons; Levon Gale of Gary, in, and Londale Gale, 2 loving daughters; Burnett Gale-Moore, and Lela (Marcus) Wright-Williams, one step daughter; Johnice (late Earl) Greer, one brother: Rayfield (Barbara Ann) Wright of Tunica, MS, a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and co-workers. Dorothy was preceded in death by both of her parents, two brothers Roosevelt Wright of Memphis, TN, and Bob Wright, one sister; Connie Bethley of Gary, IN, two daughters, Pearl (Vincent) WrightKnox of Milwaukee, WI, and Patricia A. Gale, one son; Alfred S. Gale
Order of Service Musical Prelude Processional Clergy & Friends Prayer of Comfort Min. Delvin Fuller Scripture Reading Minister Selection “You’re Bigger “ by Jakalen Carr Words of Comfort Turee Gale Selection “Let Your Power Fall” by James Fortune Remarks 2 Min Please Resolutions Helen Walker Obituary Read Silently Eulogy Rev. E.F. Ledbetter, III Funeral Director’s Moment Blake Lamb Recessional Please Remain Seated Until Family Has Passed
“Miss Me But Let Me Go” When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little-but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me-but let me go
For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the Master’s plan A step on the road to home
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me but let me go.
Tributes Dorothy my wife and through it all MY FRIEND! Take your rest with God. He has said to you “Well done”. - Love you Leon To my beloved mother, Dorothy M. Gale your name was called to the gates of heaven. Where you are still mighty and strong so we’re are going to fight this battle while you are gone, and tell all your family and friends, God has won again. Let your power fall Dorothy M. Gale your name was called to the gates of heaven where you belong, let your power fall where you still mighty and strong Prove the doubters wrong and you still mighty and strong - Love your Daughter Burnett
When you met Earl you told me to keep him. You opened your heart in a way I had never seen before. At your 80th birthday you hugged me and told me you love me for real. I cried because you didn’t really go the “emotional thing” lol. You were so strong and you taught me so much and I love you for being my bonus mom. Sweet rest until we meet again - Pooh The love of a grandma is unique. God must have given grandmothers to us to liven up our lives, to make our lives more complete, to make us well rounded and better human beings. She played a big part in my childhood and I can remember so many times sitting in her kitchen and tasting the dishes, she prepare with special love. She taught me a lot about love and the meaning of family.. She has never been just ‘my grandmother’, but my guardian, my friend and my inspiration. Still, we can’t believe my lovely Granny was taken away from us . We will miss our Granny, but her spirit and strength, lives on in each of us and in the lives that she touched. She lives on in me and in all those who have been touched by the love, strength, conviction, wisdom, and beauty of her soul. Rest in Peace Granny…we will never forget you and we will always love you forever… - Love your grand daughter Lundyn
“In My Mother’s Words” My Mother was not her Body She was The Conscious Energy That filled her Body And when I close my eyes I can feel her warmth That which created me Verity’s her Spirit Lives on Shining bright inside of me Where I can hear her Voice In the wisdom she taught “IN MY MOTHER’S WORDS” What are you sitting crying about It won’t change anything There’s nothing you can do about it So don’t keep laying around Feeling pitiful worrying about it Use the sense God gave you We all came here to live and die So get up and get on with your life Just because I’m ready to go home Child please, you have a good day AWAKEN? - LeVon
Pallbearers James R. Adams Marcus P. Williams Leo Brown Vincent K. Knox Jr. Robert Hollins Ronald Robinson Leon Gale Londale Stroud Honorary Pallbearers Levon Gale Londale Gale Ryan A. Williams James R. Adams, Jr. Layden Gale Jacob Brown Joshua Brown Marcus B. Williams Semaj Adams Asheek Adams Interment Beverly Cemetery 12000 S. Kedzie Midlothian, IL 60406 Repast Dining On The Green 349 Main Street Park Forest, IL 60466 (Downtown Park Forest)
Acknowledgment of Thanks
If you thought about her and could not find time for visiting. We thank you for your thoughtfulness. If you were concerned about her condition and were unable to do anything but wish her well, we thank you for your concern. If you prayed to ask God’s blessing for her, we thank you for your prayers. If you telephoned to inquired of her health, we thank you for your calls, if you sent out cards, flowers, or contributions, we thank you for your gifts. If you took time from your busy schedule to visit her in the hospital, we thank you for those moments of happiness. Whatever kindness was extended is accepted with sincere gratitude and thanks that is everlasting. Gods blessing to you all. The family of
Dorothy Mae Gale