Dorothy Kent Obituary

Dorothy Jean Kent

Jun 20, 1941 - Aug 15, 2024

Sandusky

Dorothy Kent transitioned from this life to a better place, her heavenly home, on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, surrounded by her family at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

She was born June 20, 1941, in Talladega, Alabama, to Esther Redding Grissom. Relocating to Sandusky at an early age, Dorothy was raised by her grandmother, Deannie Mary Tucker.

She is the last Charter Member of New Jerusalem that began in 1955 under the leadership of the late Rev. Fred Tucker, Rev. Eddy Henry, and now under Rev. Curtis L. Johnson Jr. where she was associate minister. She accepted her call to preach the Word of God and was licensed Aug. 30, 1992, and ordained Jan. 24, 1999. She served as the Church Historian, Directress of the Male Chorus, Evangelism Team, Sunday school and VBS teacher, Nurses Ministry, and chairperson of the Rev. Eddy Henry Scholarship Fund.

Dorothy was a graduate of Sandusky School of Practical Nursing and holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Human Services from Bowling Green State University. She was the first Africian-American nurse at Soldiers Home now (OVH), received a Diploma of Theology, Certificate of Christian Training from the American Baptist College, Toledo Extension, Associate of Arts Degree in Theology from the American Bible College of Nashville, Tennessee, and was a member of Then Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Sandusky. She was past President, Secretary, and Benevolent Treasurer of Interdenominational Minister Wives and Ministry Widows of Sandusky and Vicinity, Board of Bayshore Counseling Services, graduate of Cleveland School of Massage Advanced Bodywork Institute, Certified Ethical Massage Practitioner, and previous owner of Massage by Rev. Dorothy Studio where she did specialize in Swedish Massage. She retired from Stein Hospice in 2014 after 52 years in the nursing field.

Dorothy married the love of her life, Lee C. Kent, on July 5, 1986, and enjoyed 29 years of marital bliss before his passing in 2015. She served as Associate Minister under her husband, Rev. Lee C. Kent, at Second Baptist Church for over 15 years in New London. After his retiring, they served at Fairfield Baptist Church in Lorain under Pastor Dennis Johnson for two-and-a-half years. She returned to New Jerusalem under the leadership of Pastor Curtis L. Johnson Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Marcia Johnson of Sandusky and Lisa (Zachary) Brown of Columbus; sons, Terry Caston of Atlanta, Georgia, Shawn Caston of Sandusky, Kenneth Kent of Cleveland, Lee C. (Tracey) Kent Jr., and Angela (Roy) Thomas of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Linda Clay and Rachael Prophet; aunt, Mary Morris; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; special friend, Willie Mae Carr: Godchildren, Pastor Curtis Johnson Jr., Elder Lamar Irby, Bill Pollard, and Carla R. Williams-Walker; and her New Jerusalem Church family.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband; mother; grandmother; sister, Marietta Evans; brothers, Charles Wood, Eugene Grissom, and Jerry Grissom; children, Lois Kent, Jackie Kent, Dawn Hill, and David Kent; and uncle, McElderry Morris.

Dorothy had a deep love for God, her family, and everyone she met. Her remarkable ability to make each person feel uniquely cherished made everyone feel like they were her favorite.

Visitation for friends will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 1920 Eddy Henry Way, Sandusky. Dorothy's celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at the church. Pastor Curtis L. Johnson Jr. will provide the eulogy and Pastor Scottie Aaron will officiate. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery.

Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., is handling arrangements.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.