Deborah A. Dotson

Deborah (Debbie) Anne Dotson (nee Ulmer) also known as Ms. Debbie, Tee Debbie, and Nana, was born July 27, 1957, in Joliet, IL to Jessie Ulmer Jr. and Katie Barlow-Ulmer.

At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized by the late Pastor J. W. Walton, Sr. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Lockport, IL.

Debbie’s passion for music inspired her to serve as a pianist for the Children’s Choir and as a soloist and director for the Greater United Choir. She was actively involved in BYF (Baptist Youth Fellowship) and Sunday School, continuing her Christian journey throughout the Joliet and Chicago area. As an ordained evangelist under Pastor Andre Williams at Love of Christ Ministries, she also served as an intercessor and prayer warrior. Debbie could often be found praying for others in grocery stores, parking lots, or wherever her help was needed.

Debbie’s education included Eliza Kelly, A.F. Hill, Fairmont Grade School, Lockport East High School, Lewis University and Culinary Arts School.

Debbie’s work journey began at the Joliet Correctional Center, where she served in the office. She also worked as a clerk at Speedway and as a Home Health Caregiver. Her deep love for children inspired her to open her own daycare, DAD’S Playce, where she was affectionately known as Ms. Debbie. While raising her own children, she taught and nurtured many others throughout the Lockport and Joliet areas.

Debbie’s love for cooking for her family and friends inspired her to attend Culinary Arts School. This passion for food and service led her to create God’s Will, God’s Way Benevolence Ministry, an outreach dedicated to feeding and clothing the homeless and less fortunate.

Debbie had a loving, compassionate, and caring spirit. She was always ready to serve no matter the time or place. Debbie was a remarkably generous person, always willing to go out of her way to provide whatever support or resources you might need, no matter how big or small the request.

Debbie was united in matrimony to Wille Earl Dotson on August 27, 1987. Together, they raised two daughters, Temri Nicole Shade and Dora Lynne Shade, along with many bonus children. 

She is preceded in death by her father, Jessie Ulmer, Jr.; her paternal grandparents, Jessie Ulmer, Sr. and RoseAnn (Wheeler) Ulmer; her maternal grandparents, Ulysses Barlow and Sarah Crosby-Barlow; her godparents, S.P. and Annie Adams; her god-sister, Emma Dora Goosh; her god-brother, Roosevelt Adams; and her aunts, Clotee Dill, Lillie Lindsey, and Mary Joyce Atkins. She is also preceded in death by her step-aunt, Diana Jackson and her uncles, Samuel Barlow and Odis Daniel Barlow, as well as her step -grandmother, Lonnie Barlow.

She is survived by her daughters, Temri Shade and Dora Shade; her grandchildren, Jaye Carter Beavers and Zoe Baker; her former husband, Willie Earl Dotson; her mother, Katie Ulmer; her brother, William (Greta) Ulmer; her sisters, Sarah Ulmer and Sandra (Rodney) Shelby; her bonus sister, Mae Catherine Sutton; her bonus brother, Michael Miller; and her god-sisters, Dora Brown, Bertha Adams, and Patricia Cobble.

She also leaves behind aunts, Barbara Barlow, Earlene Tate, Melody (Robert) Williams, Sherrie Barlow, and Danetta (Cedric) Green; step-uncles, Jimmy, Mark, and Michael Harris; loving cousins Corniece Young and Mary White; and her longtime friend, LaShonda McMorris. Additionally, she is remembered by three godchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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