Dorthella Tharpe's Obituary
Dorthella “Doll” Potter Tharpe was born on July 9, 1942, to the union of Charles Brown and Catherine (Jackson) Brown. She confessed her faith at an early age and was a member of El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Dorthella was educated in the St. Louis Public School System, earned her Associate Degree in Science from Flo Valley in 2002, completed her Bachelor ’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Harris-Stowe State University in 2007, and went on to serve as a Health Commissioner. She united in Holy Matrimony to L.C. Tharpe. Dorthella, our mother, was a woman of grace and resilience, someone whose presence made others feel cared for and understood. She loved her kids with warm compassion. Dorthella Tharpe (our mom) poured herself into her family and created a foundation of support. Mom was a sports lover and was an avid community leader. Breaking into men ’s business, mom sponsored a midget (11 13) and bantam (9-11) division baseball teams in the mid 70’s. Mom’s objective was to instill work ethic, discipline and develop young student athletes. Last but not least, mom was a great cook, and created cookouts to keep her family strengthen and together. Her wisdom, humor, and nurturing nature will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Dorthella departed this life on November 24, 2025. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Brown and Catherine Brown; her children, Stanley Potter and Nicole Brooks; and her siblings, Charles Brown, Marjorie Barrett, Charlotte Lopez, Harold Brown, Sharon Thompson, and Melvin Brown. She leaves to cherish her memories: her children ~ Larry K. Potter (Shelly Potter), Kevin Potter, Racine Current, Melvin Potter, Mark Potter (Pricella Potter), and Tammy Potter (Udoawujo Bethel Mbata); siblings ~ Vivian Powell, Joe Brown, Arnold Brown, Sylvester Brown, Gloria Dukes, Yvonne Hughley, Emanuel Brown, Eleanor Brown, Gregory Brown, and Jacqueline Collins; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives, and friends.
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