Dorothy Mae English 'Doll' Pridgen

Dorothy Mae English Pridgen, affectionately known by the nickname Doll, was born on July 10, 1926 to Sally Stokes English and Novie English in Barney, Georgia. During her childhood, Dorothy was a spelling bee champion and a star athlete who excelled in basketball and track. Her first job as a young adult was as a bus girl in Moultrie, Georgia. She later worked as a dispatcher for the Moultrie Yellow Cab Company for Negroes. During this time, she met Mack Junior Pridgen and they were joined in holy matrimony on May 3, 1947. Once she moved to Columbus, Ohio, her first job was at 16 E. Broad Street, where worked as a manual elevator operator. She also worked as an alteration specialist for Swan Cleaners and retired from the Ohio Department of MR/DD where she was a habilitation aide. Dorothy also served with the Head Start Foster Grandparent Program, the Linden Neighborhood Watch Program, and as a volunteer in the OSU Mailroom and with Meals on Wheels. She received the Neighborhood Pride Award from Mayor Michael Coleman for her beautiful yard. The Woodland Christian Church presented Dorothy with a Certificate of Appreciation for 50 years of faithful service. Dorothy passed away Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the age of 84. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son WinstonWinnie Berdette Pridgen, and sisters, Oneal Cute Wilson, Vara Vay King, Delia Deal Rhym, and Ovelia Bee Bee Williams. She leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters, MaryMax (Melvin) Howard, Beverly Bebbie Denise Daniels, and Alfreda Freda Janine Pridgen; two sons Gregory Lee Pridgen and Jeffrey Jip Phillip Pridgen; brothers Charles Bud (Delores) English and Dozier Dote English; 12 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, special friends, Leira Pace, Mattie McCurdy, and Trudy Canes; special healthcare aide Ermea Manson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Homegoing Service 2 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2010 in the chapel of DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long Street, where the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the start of service. Interment Evergreen Cemetery.