Dora Lee Levy

(Nee McCorkle) Dora found peace at the age of 85 on Monday, November 9, 2020, at 6:56 am. She was born in Grenada, Mississippi on August 30^th, 1935. She relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1950 where she attended Roosevelt Junior High School and North Division High School.

Known for her love of fashion, one of her favorite hobbies was shopping; every outfit she wore had a matching pair of shoes which included a matching handbag with accents of various types of jewelry.

Her second favorite hobby was sewing! Dora took her hobby of sewing and turned it into a rewarding career.  Working out of her home as a tailor, she first started making outfits for her children and grandchildren. This opened the door to opportunities that allowed Dora to create custom-designed clothing for various clients throughout Wisconsin, in addition to family and friends.  She also had a special love for young children.  For over 15 years she worked for 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care as a certified home childcare provider.

Dora was a devoted wife for fifty-eight years to her husband Donald Levy. Proud and beloved Mother to Jackie (Robert) Holifield, Donna Stribling, and Jeannine (Bruce) Rivers-Colburn. Adoptive Mother and cherished friend to Karen Hayes. Adored Grandmother to Shanda Stribling, Murad Ellis, Dimitri Holifield, and Keosha Rivers. Great-grandmother of 4, including 1 great-great-grandchild. Further survived by her Great Uncle and Aunt James and Carole Kimble, plus a host of amazing relatives.

Dora is preceded in death by her parents Louvenia McCloud and Filmore McCorkle, grandparents Dora and William Jordan, uncles William (Doc) Jordan, Jesse Fullove, and Aunt Goldie (Dee) Shell.

Dora will be remembered as a strong, courageous, confident, loving, and generous woman. She was fierce and did not allow the obstacles in her life to define her. Faith and integrity adorned her spirit and she stood strong in her spiritual beliefs, adhering to God’s promise at Rev 21:4- “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

The family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to her health care heroes at Laurel Oaks Senior Community, Zilber Family Hospice, and My Choice Family Care.

Mom, we all can still hear you saying, “Will you please turn out the light, turn off the TV, and close the door so that I can get some sleep?”

We comply, but the light of your love, the noise of treasured memories, and the door to your path will never be closed in our hearts; we will allow you to sleep into a glorious rest. Because we all will see you again and it will be as you told us, forever and ever.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give a tribute gift in memory of Dora Levy to Spelman College.

A celebration of Dora’s life will be held sometime in 2021. Email jeanninedreams@gmail.com  with your contact information for future celebration details.