Dorothy Jean Stratton was born to the late Ida and Cecil Jones, Sr. on January 6, 1948, in Nassawadox, Virginia. She departed this earth to be with her Heavenly Father on January 13, 2026, at The Citadel in Nassawadox, VA.

Dorothy attended and graduated from Northampton High School. She later married the love of her life, Timothy Stratton, Jr. on September 9, 1967, and from that union they welcomed two beautiful children, Melody and Timothy III. Tim was surely the “apple of her eye”; she will now join him in their heavenly home.

Early in Dorothy’s life, she could often be found working hard in the family business, Jones Fish Market. In addition to working in the store, she took on many tasks by helping the Nassawadox neighborhood with any problems they sought help for. She was that kind of “special lady.” Dorothy had many hobbies, including playing cards, attending the casino, and playing games on her tablet. She especially loved babysitting Marissa and MT.

Dorothy’s greatest joy was attending African Baptist Church. She shared a special relationship with all of the members. Dorothy could be found weekly on Sundays, belting out songs. Some of her favorite melodies included “Looking for My Jesus,” “That Old Landmark,” and heartfelt testimonial songs such as “Stronger Than I Ever Been,” “What Is This?” and “They Got the Word.”

Dorothy was very competitive in her church, raising all kinds of funds for the fruit and state march. She served diligently on the Trustee Board, Senior Usher Board, Choir #2, and co-chaired Old-Fashioned Day. Dorothy was nominated “Woman of the Year” in November 2024 by African Baptist Church Family, “she was ever so proud and happy”.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Ida and Cecil Jones, Sr.; her spouse, Timothy Stratton, Jr.; her sisters, Annie Mae Taylor and Marion Butts; and her brother, Cecil Jones, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Melody Thomas (Maurice, Sr.); her son, Timothy Stratton III (Chella); her granddaughter, Marissa Thomas; her grandsons, Maurice Thomas, Jr. and Derrick Stratton; her nephew, raised like a son, Cecil Jones III; her sisters, Barbara Jones, Anna Spady, and Martha Sample; her brothers, John Ed Francis (Dorothy) and Larry Jones; her brother-in-law, Glenn Stratton (Cindy); and her devoted sister-in-law, Marva Stratton.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her bonus daughters, Cheryl Walton, Patricia F. Jones, Mary Mitchell, Nicole Jefferson, and Cynthia White; her bonus sons, Rev. Keith Savage, Sr., Michael Smith, James Jones, Jr., Kevin Phillips, Dr. James Fedderman, and William Walton; her special friends, Brenda Smith (since high school), Mary Jones, James Jones, Sr., Theresa Smith, Yvonne Powell, Valencia Powell, Louvenia Lowery and Ora Lee Watson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.