Nellie E. Dorsey

Nellie E. Dorsey, 83, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Grand Regency Assisted Living of Rockford. She was born June 1, 1939, in Eldorado, Arkansas, the daughter of Alvin Richard and Bessie (Jones) Meeks. Nellie moved to Rockford and attended Rockford West High School. She married Michael Phillips and moved to Waukegan where Michael was serving in the Navy and stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base. Michael predeceased Nellie and she later met and married Edward Dorsey while he was serving in the Navy. Nellie became a Catholic and very active in her faith. She worked at various hospitals in Waukegan including St. Therese Hospital. Nellie was also a member of the Black Catholics Organization in Waukegan and was always doing what she could do to help others. She respected and loved her last Priest, Father O’Malley. Nellie finally retired at the age of 79 years old and relocated to Rockford where she spent her last 2 ½ years living at the Grand Regency Assisted Living. Everyone there loved Aunt Nell because she loved to give big hugs to everyone.

Nellie leaves to cherish her memories her nieces, Ruby (Leon) Drayton and Tracy Meeks; her nephews, Nathaniel (Shelly) Gaskin and Gregory (Angela) Tate and many great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Eddie Dorsey; her parents; her sisters, Dorothy Owens and Mary Thurman; her brother, Richard Meeks and her loving black Lab, “Snookie”.

Family graveside services were held at Greenwood Cemetery. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.