Josephine Dell Obituary

Dell
Josephine "Jo" Jeanette Dell
March 31, 1926 - December 11, 2017
Josephine (Jo) Dell was born March 31, 1926 in Emporia, Kansas to the parents of Myrtle Mack Ross and McKinley Ross. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Marilyn Sue (Ross) Dorsey and her husband of 63 years, Moris E. Dell.
Jo attended the Emporia Public Schools and graduated from Emporia High School. She also attended the College of Emporia. Jo was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Moris E. Dell in 1945. From this union, they had two children, Ronald and Debra.
Jo was very active in her church and community during her adult years. As a member of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, Jo served as the church treasurer, member of the Steward Board, the "Daisy M. Walls" Missionary Society and Sunday School Superintendent.
Jo's community service involved serving on the Emporia Day Care Center, The Community Center and Welfare Advisory Boards. While serving as the chairperson of the Emporia Human Relations Committee, she was instrumental in helping to create the local Ordinance Against Discrimination which changed the committee into a Commission with a Director. The Director then had the power to enforce the Ordinance.
Jo's honors include being a life member of Naomi Chapter #13 Order of the Eastern Stars and holding the office of "Worthy Matron". She was also honored by the national Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. by being crowned "Philo of the Year." The Philos was a group of community women who supported young women of the sorority who attended Emporia State University. Jo was also featured in the Emporia Gazette Newspaper for her service as the Nutrition Director of Food Services and site manager at the Emporia Senior Center.
Jo was employed at the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity for sixteen years. She was the cook, food service director and chapter adviser. She received many plaques for her services and was crowned "White Rose Queen" at the annual White Rose Ball in 1968.
After retirement, Jo and Moris moved to Denver, Colorado in 1992 to be near their family members. They united with Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church. Jo was appointed to the Steward Board and worked diligently with the "Mary F. Handy" Missionary Society until her health began to fail.
One of Jo's passions was cooking. She had the gift of hospitality. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends. It was always her dream to publish a cookbook. She wanted to leave a legacy to her children and grandchildren that could be kept and passed down in the family. In 1999 her dream came true and she published her cookbook titled "Cooking with Jo, Family and Friends."
Jo lived her life with love and service to others. She loved God, her family, friends and the men of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. She was always thinking of others and putting others before herself. She was also a caregiver. She spent most of her adult life caring for several older family members as they aged and/or their health failed which she did out of love and concern.
Her legacy was, "If I can help somebody along the way, then my living shall not be in vain."
As Jo's health failed, she moved to Colorado Springs in 2013 to live with her daughter and son-in law. She was a ministry partner with Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church. Jo departed her earthly life to be with the Lord on Monday, December 11, 2017.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her children; Ronald Tyree Dell, Denver, Colorado and Debra Faye (Ronald) Wynn, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Grandchildren, Tracy Dell, Oakland, California, Mara Simon, Denver, Colorado, Megan (Leonard) Keyes, Houston, Texas and Ryan (Rachael) Wynn, Centennial, Colorado; a devoted cousin, Lana Taylor, Watertown, New York; brother-in-law, Donald Dorsey, Denver, Colorado; great grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the: Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity Scholarship Fund in recognition of Josephine Dell @ Emporia State University Foundation, 1500 Highland St., Emporia, Kansas 66801.
Visitation, 4:00PM-6:00PM,Thursday, December 14, 2017, at The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.
Funeral Service, 10:30AM, Friday, December 15, 2017, at Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, 3625 Marion Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.
Visitation in Emporia, Kansas; 4:00PM-6:00PM, Monday, December 18, 2017 at Roberts Blue Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State Street, Emporia, Kansas.
Funeral Service in Emporia, Kansas; 10:30AM, Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Roberts Blue Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State Street, Emporia, Kansas.
Interment, Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia, Kansas.