Dorothy Moore Barlow-Moye was born on May 28, 1940 (she was forever 29) to Richard Moore and Ruby James Moore Love. She was the second of four daughters and she grew up in the Town of Ansonia and in the City of New Haven, Connecticut.

Dorothy was raised in the Mount Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church where her grandmother and several of her Aunts and Uncles from the James family were among the founding members. In the mid-1990s, Dorothy became a member of the Oasis-Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dorothy was a graduate of James Hillhouse High School, Southern Connecticut State University (with an A.S.), and Albertus Magnus College (with a B.A.). She was an exceptional student and she received many awards for her academic achievements.

Throughout the years, Dorothy served her churches in many capacities, including Head Church Clerk, Education Leader, Treasurer, Director for the Children’s Choir, Assistant Sabbath School Leader and Teacher, Assistant Pathfinder Director, Vacation Bible School Leader, AY Leader (formerly known as Missionary Volunteers), Women’s Ministries Leader and Health Ministries Leader. Dorothy also completed the training and received Certificates to do Prison Ministry and to be a Medical Missionary. She loved working for the Lord in any capacity. She had a particular fondness for children and she liked to periodically surprise them with small gifts and treats.

Dorothy was a proud member of the New Ensemble Chorale, under the direction of Sister Lola Nathan, and the Excelsior Chorale, under the direction of Brother Aubrey Tompkins. She also loved singing in the mass choir that sings excerpts from Handel’s Messiah each year and she was always happy to host students when the members of the Pine Forge Academy Choir came to Connecticut for the weekend.

Professionally, Dorothy taught secretarial and computer skills at Stone Academy, she was a teacher at Helene Grant Elementary School, a professional model, a licensed Home Daycare Provider, and a Notary Public. She also worked in other capacities for the City of New Haven, including the Child Development Department, the Purchasing Department, and the Health Department. She also supplemented her income at times by moonlighting at the New Haven Legal Assistance and even driving a work van. She had a strong work ethic and she was always highly respected in each position that she held.

Personal roles that Dorothy cherished were Mom, wife, sister, cousin, auntie, grandmother (aka Grammie), great-grandmother, godmother, mentor, teacher, role model, confidant, sister-in-Christ, friend, and colleague. People often called her “Doctor” because she had a cure for everything – she was a loving caregiver and protector. She was a “hostess with the most-ess” because you could not be in her home without being offered a healthy treat or a delicious meal. She liked her dessert before her dinner – just in case her stomach got full, and she loved to get ice cream and go to the beach year-round to eat it.

Dorothy enjoyed cooking, reading, journaling, collecting coins, planning family gatherings, singing (she had special songs), praying for others, collecting family photos, playing the piano, arts and crafts, organizing anything and everything (she was the best at it!), decorating AND redecorating (she was always moving her furniture around!), and shopping AND especially returning. Most of all, Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her family! Several years ago, Dorothy traced her roots to the Kiowa Native American Tribe, and she enjoyed sharing what she learned about her heritage with her family. She also took on the herculean task of making the James family tree, which is a family treasure.

She was a beautiful person, on the inside and on the outside, and she would never leave a person in need. She loved deeply and she willingly sacrificed her time, money, and talents. She also boldly shared her Adventist faith, often handing out Sabbath School lessons for Trick-or-Treat.

Dorothy often showed her feisty side and she was never afraid to speak up for what she thought was right and pleasing in God’s sight. She was a loving disciplinarian and had the look that let you know that you better change your course, to put it kindly. She was always a willing listener and she gave the absolute best advice. She never judged, she lived by example, and she left her family a legacy of love for all mankind. Dorothy’s children, grandchildren (her “Grands”), and great-grandchildren (her “Great-Grands”) never had to be the best, but they were always expected to do their best.

Her loving temperament was outwardly apparent to the point where strangers, especially children, would strike up conversations with her wherever she went. There were many times when a short shopping trip turned into a long excursion because of the people she encountered. Her children quickly learned that they should not go shopping with her unless they were committed to being out for most of the day. She would, however, always buy you something if you were brave enough to tag along.

She was a very generous person, but she was a more gracious recipient. No matter the gift, she would make you feel as though you gave her the best gift ever. She often told her children, her Grands, and her Great-Grands that each was her favorite and she meant it every time. She always greeted and departed with a hug and a kiss. When the family members said, “I love you” her response was always, “I love you more.”

She leaves behind to cherish her loving memory her children: Gwendolyn, William Jr. (Lisa), Christine (George Sr.), Alfie Sr., and Michele; her grandchildren: Channing, Charles Jr., Brandi, Alfie Jr., George Jr., Cody, Caysi, and Cassidy; her great-grandchildren: Milan and Carlie; her sister Janet; her roommate Geraldine; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband Rossie; her parents; her sisters: Loretta and Sarah; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She has left a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled until Jesus comes but we, as a family, have many wonderful memories to comfort and to sustain us until then. Our love for our favorite keeps us whole.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Dorothy’s Life on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Mount Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church, 335 Putnam Avenue, Hamden, CT and it will be live streamed at http://www.youtube.com/@mountzionmedia.

As an alternative to flowers, the family is requesting random acts of kindness in Dorothy’s memory. Burial services will be private.