Dorothy Mae Middleton Hall grew up with the nickname “Boo”, and later in life was affectionately called “Aunt Dot” and “Aunt Dottie”.  Born on May 20th, 1931 (according to the midwife) or June 17th, 1931 (according to her mother), in Pineville, South Carolina (Berkley County). Dorothy enjoyed celebrating on both days.  As the second of twelve children born to Lelia (Ravenell) and Jacob Middleton, Dorothy was their oldest daughter, and the granddaughter of David and Dinah (Judge) Middleton and March and Estelle (Brown) Ravenell, the great granddaughter of Cisero and Martha Middleton, and the great-great granddaughter of Samuel Middleton.

Educated in Berkley County, at the age of ten Dorothy became a member of Day Dawn Baptist Church, continuing her Christian journey at Enon Baptist Church in North Philadelphia after moving to Pennsylvania in 1952.  She resided with her brother Nathaniel and his wife Mildred until she married George H. Hall in 1957.

Dorothy was introduced to George while working in the fields in South Carolina before she relocated to Philadelphia.  They later reconnected after he moved to Great Neck, New York to stay with his brother and his wife (Elijah and Mackey).  Dorothy and George were married on April 17, 1957, and moved to East Elmhurst (Queens) New York where they joined First Baptist Church in 1958 under the pastorate of Rev. William E. Gardner.  She served on the Women’s Guild and was very involved with youth outreach as a Supervisor of the youth ministries’ engagement activities and events, including retreats, rap sessions, prayer groups, fashion shows, bar-b-q’s in the park, and the cleaning of the church.  An avid Mets fan, Dorothy could be seen walking a group of neighborhood kids to a ball game at Shea Stadium to cheer her team on from field level or sky upper-level seats.

Dorothy loved God and she loved people.  She expressed this in the ways she served her family, church and community for whom she constantly prayed.  Dorothy and George opened their home to many people, including family members coming north to start a new life.  They were also extended family to those for whom she provided a haven as a licensed day care provider for the Malcolm X Day Care Center, as a First Baptist Church Youth Ministry Chaperon and a community advocate with the Block Association and the 115th Police Precinct Community Group.

A life member of the East Elmhurst Corona NAACP, Dorothy also gifted life memberships to her grandchildren Malcolm, Makeda and Trae Jabari when they were young.  She saw and addressed the need for children in the neighborhood to have meals during the summer when school was out by serving them from tables set up in her basement, driveway and backyard.  Feeding people continued her mother’s tradition of sharing love through food.  She loved to cook and was known for her sassy pot, tomato stew, lima beans, peas and rice, macaroni and cheese, chicken, chicken feet, ribs, collard greens, corn bread, apple pie and peach cobbler. 

“Aunt Dot” raised the neighborhood and church youth with a stern loving hand, providing cherished guidance on how others are to be treated.  Her instructions included certain words were not to be used in her presence (“shut up”, “stupid”, “dumb”, etc.).  After popping you with the ruler she often requested that you give her a hug and a kiss showing that she loved you no matter what.  Her sage advice helped you to stay safe.  When traveling in a group you were to follow the rule that “if you leave together you must stay together and return together,” and “when drinking anything while out, if you put it down don’t pick it up again”. Aunt Dot was known to be an encouraging presence at the monthly youth rap sessions, group circles where conversations and prayer provided support through their life experiences.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling and took cruises with family and friends to locations including Alaska, the Eastern and Western Caribbean Islands, Mexico, South America, and Canada.  One of her favorite excursions with her sister Alberta and sister friends was to Germany, Paris, London, and Belgium.  Family reunions in different states were also special gatherings for her to spend time reminiscing and reconnecting with loved ones, including descendants of Middleton Place, and especially in Pineville, South Carolina.

Dorothy Mae Middleton Hall, the beloved matriarch of her family, was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  A woman of quiet strength and unwavering love, she nurtured generations with wisdom, grace, and a steady faith that anchored her home.  Her presence was a source of comfort, guidance, and dignity, and her legacy will continue to live on in the lives she so faithfully shaped.

Dorothy transitioned through the veil of time to her eternal rest on Thursday, February 5th, 2026, at 8:30 am. Waiting to usher her in were her husband of sixty-one years, George Henry, and oldest daughter Georgia Mae, her parents Lelia and Jacob; and siblings Estelle, Nathaniel, Hezekiah, Alberta, and Alonzo. Celebrating her life with loving memories are her children George Jr. (Ralphine); Audrey (Kenroy), Tracy (Charlene); Mavis; her grandchildren; Steven, Shaneka; Kenroy Jr., Michael, Nicholas; Vernon (Kim); Trae Jabari (April); Ariana; Tamara (Mike), Malcolm, and Makeda; her siblings Peter; Arthur (Ruby); Silas (Audrey); Benjamin (Valerie); David (Erica); and her youngest sister whom she helped raise, Betty (George McClenan (d.)); her sisters-in-love, Edna, Patricia and Carla; God-children Pamela (Anthony) and Reggie (Deon);  Sister Friends Betty Lee, Francine Gadsden, and Jean Price; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, church children and friends in Christ.

We knew little that morning that God was going to call your name.

In Life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.

It broke out hearts to lose you, you did not go alone. 

For part of use went with you the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide.

And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.

But as God calls us one by one

The chain will link again.