Sister Dorothy Shamburger was born Dorothy Mae Franklin on July 27, 1917 in Mobile, Alabama. She was the first of two daughters born to John Henry Franklin and Cora Morgan. For reason unknown to her, both sisters’ last name was changed from Franklin to Thompson by the time they entered school. She maintained the name, Dorothy Mae Thompson until her marriage to Sidney Boykin in 1934.

After her mother died in 1926 when Dorothy was only nine years old; she and her younger sister Lillian were taken in and raised by their maternal grandmother and grandfather, Gussie and Tom Juzang. Dorothy’s father, John Henry Franklin passed away while she was still a young teenager.

Dorothy began her formal education in 1923 in Mobile County Public Schools where she managed to complete the eighth grade at Dunbar School; before she opted out of school to help support her family by working various jobs. While circumstances did not allow Dorothy to complete her formal grade school education; she was able to master the basic rudiments of learning: reading, writing, and arithmetic. Due to her keen desire for learning; determined work ethics; and great capacity to care for the well-being of others, Dorothy successfully worked throughout her adult life in many jobs to support her family. Among the jobs that she held, Dorothy worked for many years in Mobile as an insurance agent for the Booker T. Washington Insurance Company.

In 1934, Dorothy met and married Sidney Boykin (deceased: 2006). Through this union, Sidney and Dorothy Boykin parented eight children; Sidney, Melvin, Delores; (deceased: 2013), Lauretta (Willie Braggs), Willie, Barbara (Douglas Turner Sr.), Joyce; (deceased: 2012), and Herbert. After eighteen years of marriage, Dorothy and Sidney Boykin were divorced in 1952.

While raising their eight children, Sidney and Dorothy Boykin established their church membership at the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church #2 in 1943. Sidney and Dorothy regularly brought the entire family to church for worship. Dorothy was a devout worshipper from the beginning and eventually became a very active member of the Senior Usher Board. She served as the Director of the Junior Usher Board for many years under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend J.B. Weaver.

After being a divorcee for approximately two decades, Dorothy met and married Leon Shamburger in 1972. Dorothy and Leon enjoyed their union until his passing in 1986.

As the long-standing matriarch of the Boykin Family, Dorothy’s genealogical linage includes to this date; nineteen (19) grandchildren, fifty (50) great-grandchildren, fifty-seven (57) great-great-grandchildren, twenty-four (24) great-great-great grandchildren and one (1) great-great-great-great grandchild.
Additionally, Dorothy maintained active and loving relationships with many of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that she acquired through both marriages.

Dorothy Boykin-Shamburger was a very creative seamstress who enjoyed her favorite hobby of making quilts, blankets, dolls, and what-nots for those she loved. She also looked forward to donating many of the items that she made to senior citizens facilities and convalescence homes especially during the holiday season. Dorothy also enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. In fact, she cooked each week for her family up to the last week of her illustrious life.

Dorothy had a special gift to love each person in her life on an individual basis. She shared a special and personal love for each member of her family and friends alike. Dorothy had a wonderful sense of humor, and thoroughly enjoyed teasing those she loved. Yes, she genuinely loved her family, friends, church, pastor, and neighbors. But most of all, Dorothy loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and did not mind telling you how much she love Him. Because of that Great Love, Dorothy encouraged those she loved to find and love the Lord also as He first loved us. This was the Great Love that she possessed, cherished, and shared with those she knew for over100 years.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 from 8am until the 10am funeral hour at the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church # 2, 251 Lafayette St, Mobile, AL 36603, Pastor Hubert Baker officiating. Interment will following in Oaklawn Cemetery, Mobile, AL.

DIGNIFIED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO SMALL'S MORTUARY, 950 SOUTH BROAD STREET, MOBILE, ALABAMA 36603.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Mae Shamburger, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.