Dorothy Ensley Obituary

Dorothy held many titles in her life from bookkeeper to seamstress but her favorite role was wife and mother. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family. Whether baking several dozen cupcakes for school the next day or ironing a shirt she was always there when we needed her. She supported us in every endeavor even it meant more work for her. She never complained about her workload. Being a meticulous cleaner and a fantastic cook brought her joy. She delighted in vacuuming every Saturday during AMERICAN BANDSTAND interrupting our free dance lessons. One of the few people who still made tall three layer cakes, her Italian Crème Cake was her most requested. Many of her delicious dishes were made without a recipe including her dressing, dumplings and biscuits made in a wooden dough bowl. She taught her kids many important life lessons including: do more than is asked or expected of you, "pretty is as pretty does" and "eat it or look at it". Most importantly she taught them the necessity of God being in their lives. She led by example by volunteering for vacation Bible school, youth trips and serving on different committees. Spunky and youthful was her fashion statement. She loved a good yard sale to enhance her clothing and jewelry wardrobe. Her dry quips often made her funny without her knowing. She had a penchant for putting objects on her head that were not traditionally considered to be a hat and we have the pictures to prove it. Dorothy Mae Haynes Ensley was born to Willie and Essie Haynes on November 23, 1941 in Pell City, Alabama, one of 10 children. She graduated from Pell City High School in 1960 and on December 23, 1960 married Gerald Jemison Ensley, Sr. They have two children Janice Patricia Ensley Eason (Mark-deceased) and Gerald Jemison "Brother" Ensley, Jr. She passed away at home with her husband and children at her side on September 22, 2024 due to Alzheimer's disease. She is preceded in death by her parents Willie and Essie Haynes, siblings Bill Gray, Ivanette Branch, Edward Gray, J.P. Haynes, Lindsey (Bud) Haynes, Harvey Haynes and Joyce Haynes. She is survived by her husband of sixty three years Gerald J. Ensley, Sr. daughter Janice Eason and son Gerald J. "Brother" Ensley, Jr.; brothers Fay Haynes (Judy) and Willie Ray Haynes. Special thanks to caregivers Carmen Lowe and Lori Felts and exercise therapist Kelly Wilson who took care of Dorothy like their own mother. Pall bearers: Vince Howard, Dale Hutchens, Roger Patterson, Allen Roach, Tim Walker and Perry Walls. She truly lived Proverbs 31:10-31. To say she will be missed is an understatement. Visitation was held at Kilgroe Funeral Home-Pell City from 5:30 until 8:00pm on Tuesday, September 24. The funeral service was held at Mt. Pisgah Church at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, officiated by Emily Penfield. Interment followed at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.