Mrs. Deloris Morris Dillard

God with His almighty wisdom, claimed our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, auntie, sister, cousin and friend, Deloris Morris Dillard  at Sentara Leigh Hospital on May 12, 2025, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

She was born on April 9, 1935, to the late Lynwood and Fannie Morris in Northampton County, VA. She was the eldest of four children. She was known by many by the name “Curley”. She was educated in Northampton County Public School System. She met and married her sweetheart, the late William Lee Dillard Sr. on June 8, 1952. William Lee and Deloris were married for fifty-seven blissful years and to that union, four children were born.

Mrs. Dillard was a member of New Jerusalem Holy Church. She served faithfully for many years under the leadership of Elder Anthony Ruffin until his death, then under the leadership of Elder Lummie Smith until her resignation and under Elder Shirley Ames until she gained her Heavenly Wings. Mrs. Dillard served as choir member, usher, head cook, Sunday School secretary, Sunday School treasurer, Sunday Superintendent and the mother of the church. Serving the Lord was what she took seriously.  Some of her favorite songs were “May the work I’ve done, Speak for me, You got to move, when the Lord gets ready and Hallelujah, Anyhow.” Her prayer which you would hear in her testimony was for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to also serve the Lord. Mother Dillard loved to praise the Lord and praise was what she did.

Mrs. Dillard worked at Holiday Inn and Ferry Dock Restaurant alongsideher beloved Mother, Fannie Morris. She worked for many years in seafoodand many years at  Cape Charles and Capeville school cafeterias. She was best known by administrators, teachers and  many parents and children including her grandchildren for driving Bus# 23. She was a no nonsense bus driver. There was going to be order on her bus, along with safety. If there was a field trip and she was one of the drivers, teachers would want to put their class on her bus. This speaks volumes to what type of person and driver she was. One thing about Mrs. Dillard was, you didn’t have to guess what she was thinking, she would tell you.

Mrs. Dillard was a great cook of many foods, but two of her specialties were clam fritters and sweet potato pies. She has been known to make over twenty pies, at one time during the holidays. She loved to share;whatever she had and didn’t like to throw anything away, if she thought someone could use it. Mrs. Dillard had a love for others, and it was manifested in her actions.

Mrs. Dillard was preceded in death by husband, William Lee Dillard Sr, her daughter, Dornecil Dillard, and her great granddaughter, Jamel Townsend. She leaves to cherish her memories: her son, William Lee Dillard Jr. of Philadelphia, PA, two daughters, Sandra Ruffin of Cape Charles, and Carol Dillard of Chesterfield, VA, ten grandchildren, Yolanda Rease(Mike) of Cape Charles, VA,  Antonio Ruffin (Safiya) of Kansas City,  KS, Racquel Ruffin of Columbus, GA, Irreka Knotts (Tramarr) of Valkaria, FL., William Dillard III of Philadelphia, PA, Richard Ruffin(Alfreniqua) of Va. Beach, VA, Arthur Ruffin (Miyuki) of Okinawa, Japan, Darnell Dillard of Pittsburg, PA, Myles Suber and Coles Suber of Chesterfied, VA., seventeen great grandchildren, William Townsend, Kody Townsend, Shacarius Shrieves, Jhimere Harper-Ruffin, Alicia Hamil, Sanai Shrieves, Serena Dillard, Ahmar’e Dillard, Alaya Knotts, Michael Rease Jr., William  Dillard IV, Corbin Knotts,  Destinee Ruffin, Layla Dillard, Meikaylah Rease, Brayden Ruffin, Ailee Ruffin, a sister  Elder Lummie Smith of Capeville, VA , Odessa Stokes Philadelphia, PA, a brother John Morris (Lois) of Capeville, VA. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)