Dora Mae Coburn

Dora Mae Coburn suddenly slipped away from this life to begin her true independence with the Lord on July 4, 2013. She was born September 9, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan. She was adopted and raised by her grandparents Allen and Dora Neal of Bessemer, Alabama. She accepted the Lord and was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church, Bessemer, Alabama. Dora attended Alabama Public Schools and graduated from Dunbar H.S. in 1961. She attained various certificates to enhance her skills in alterations, fine dressmaking, designing and tailoring. She wed Joe N. Coburn in February 1968. They moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan following her brother Sherman Smith in 1970. She and Joe N. Coburn later divorced. Dora had worked for Hudsons, Ihling Bros.,Everett Co., JCPenneys, Roxy’s Fine Stitchery and for many years was self employed. She also was employed for several years at several nursing homes to provide for her family. Dora enjoyed singing and she enjoyed sharing God’s word. Dora always participated in the singing ministries at each of the churches she attended; Tennessee Baptist Church(Detroit, Michigan), Second Baptist Church, Faith Baptist Church, Fresh Fire AME Church and From the Bible Church all of Kalamazoo, Michigan. She will be known forever as one who openly lifted her voice unto the Lord with praise and singing. One was never a stranger for very long in her presence as she loved to share her knowledge and love of the Lord in conversation and her many gifts with crafting of all sorts, dressmaking/tailoring and culinary skills. Her cooking brought everyone together. She was preceded in death by her mother Lurlean Godfrey, step-father Timothy Godfrey and brother Sherman Smith. She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter Dedrenna D. Hoskins, and 2 sons Darran D. Smith(Kara), Leon Brown Jr. (Sheila McDonald), all of Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1 sister in law Juliette V. Smith, Kalamazoo, MI, 1 step brother Ricky Grier (Mamie Campbell), Kalamazoo, MI; 7 grandchildren; Dalanna Hoskins, Isaiah Hoskins, Brandon Munger, Dreon Smith, Kamayia Smith, Darius Smith and Kaliah Smith 1 nephew Sean Smith, 4 great grand children; Symiah, Ameerah, Symir, and Zaiyah, 2 God sons William Treandus Calbert, and Alexander White, 3 Lifetime Special Friends Mrs. Patricia Pulphus(Kalamazoo, MI), Mrs. Sandra Russell(Detroit, MI), Mrs. Georgia Black (Detroit, MI) and a host of cousins and friends.

Dora Mae Coburn

September 9, 1944 - July 4, 2013