Dorothy Marie Campbell-Reedus

The Great Author of All records that Elder Dorothy Reedus, a cherished child of the Lord, was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee on February 23, 1930. She was the youngest child born to her parents Britt and Ida Mae Campbell. Elder Reedus was the eighteenth and last surviving sibling of her seventeen sisters and brothers. She received her early education at the Meharry BLVD Church School. Her family later moved to Jersey City, New Jersey where she graduated from Lincoln High School. After returning to Nashville, Elder Reedus attended nursing school and graduated from the Riverside Hospital School of Nursing with her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) degree.

In 1947, Elder Reedus married her husband, Joseph Scott who is now deceased. Later in 1960 She married Nathan Reedus. Elder Reedus was the loving and devoted mother of Joseph Scott, Lolita Scott Cowan, and Jonathan L. Reedus. Elder Reedus began her walk with the Lord early in her life. She was baptized at Meharry Blvd Seventh-day Adventist Church and went on to work for Christ. Elder Reedus was a pathfinder leader, Sabbath School teacher, and deaconess. She also sang in the Ebony Ensemble and worked tirelessly for the Lord as a member of the Master’s Workers Club. Elder Reedus never met a stranger. She was always open and willing to meet and accept people. Her main goal in life was bringing people to Jesus. You could feel her acceptance in her sermons and in her Bible study presentations. Above all, Elder Reedus loved and cherished her church family.

In 1989, the Annual Council of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, made the decision to allow women to become ordained local elders. In 1990, the SDA church manual was amended by the General Conference Session to include gender-neutral language when referring to elders. This was a direct result of the Annual Council’s actions. Upon this revision, Pastor Russell Seay appointed and ordained Dorothy Reedus as the first female Elder at Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist Church. Later, Pastor Kennedy Luckett promoted her as head elder of Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist Church, which gave her the distinction of becoming the first female Head Elder in the South Central General Conference.

During her career, Elder Reedus served as an LPN at Vanderbilt and Riverside Hospital. She then served at the Metropolitan Health Department where she retired after 27 years of service. Elder Reedus liked to sew and was a fantastic home decorator. She also loved decorating tables for her family and friends throughout her life. She enjoyed skating as a youngster and as an adult. Baking cakes was also fun for her. Elder Reedus also enjoyed studying her family history with her niece Francis Acklin at the Nashville Public Library Archives. Studying her Bible and giving Bible studies were very important activities in her life. She was also dedicated to her neighborhood. Elder Reedus demonstrated this when she became a member of the Neighborhood Watch Committee.

Elder Reedus also had a “bucket List” of things she wanted to do and accomplish during her life. One item on the list was for her to learn to swim, because she had lost two brothers in drowning incidents. And so, at age 86 Elder Reedus made her way to the Hadley Park Swimming Class and learned to swim. She was the oldest student in the class and she was celebrated.

Elder Reedus lived her life independently and was able to pack plenty of living in her soul until two weeks ago. During the evening of Monday, June 9th, Elder Reedus closed her eyes and fell asleep in the arms of her loving Savior.

Elder Dorothy Reedus was preceded in death by her Parents, Britt and Ida Campbell; Her 17 siblings, Perry Campbell, Alberta Johnson, Abraham Campbell, Britt Campball II, James Campbell, Keith Campbell, Fate Campbell, Woodrow Campbell, Margaret Bailey, Willie Mae Cooper, Idora Leftwich, Millie Harlan, Ella Mae Brown, Pete Campbell, Britt Campbell III, Ida Campbell, Hazel Campbell; her devoted husband Nathan Reedus; and her eldest son Joseph Scott.

And now, as the Writer of Redemption brings the life chapter of Elder Dorothy Reedus to an end, He remembers those who are left to cherish her memories: Her children, Lolita Cowan (Andrew), Jonathan L Reedus (Pamela); grandchildren, Kevin Hatchet, Steven Cherry (Stephanie), Shannon Royes (Alex), Dr. Jasmine Jackson (Desmond), Dr. Jada Reedus Ross (Matthew); great grandchildren Demetrius Cherry, Ian Royes, Noah Royes, LaKeisha Nunn, DJ Jackson, and baby Avery Maxine Ross.

Although Elder Reedus had so many loving nieces and nephews, Joyce Ho user (Cleveland) and Vicki Fletcher (Darnell) were close to her and they treated “Aunt Dorothy” as if she were their mother. A host of cousins, friends, and church family will also remember her and how she impacted their lives.

Upon her birth Elder Reedus was destined for history in the church she was devoted to. She reached her destination and her name will live in the halls of church history and will be emblazoned in our hearts. Her hope was built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring praise at the city gate.” ~Proverbs 31:31