Dolena Isabelle Pemberton

Dolena Pemberton, peacefully entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Dolena was born Monday, May 25, 1936 to William E. Cottemond, Sr. and Thelia B. Cottemond. She was raised in Sussex County, Virginia and was educated in Sussex County Public Schools. Dolena discovered her love for the Lord at a very early age. She loved reading the Bible and knew she wanted to dedicate her life to serving God. Dolena was baptized at Greater Hickory Hill Baptist Church in Yale, Virginia. Dolena left Virginia at an early age and moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1955. She continued serving the Lord at First Baptist Church in East Elmhurst, New York, where she was a member for many years. She enjoyed singing in the choir and held the position of Choir President. She also served on the kitchen committee for the church. She was a wonderful woman of God. Dolena was always willing to lend a hand to anyone and help in any way she could. She loved to devote her time to studying the Bible and praying. While in New York she met the love of her life, Larry Pemberton, whom she married and they enjoyed many years together. Dolena was employed by American Airlines for 45 years at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. She had a passion for traveling. Her travels allowed her to explore the world and enjoy many exciting places. She resided in New York until 2014 and then moved to Essex, Maryland until her transition. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Pemberton; her parents, William E. Cottemond, Sr., and Thelia B. Cottemond; a sister, Hattie C. Cottemond; and three brothers, Cloyd D. Cottenmond, William E. Cottemond, Jr., and Roy Cottemond. As she transitions from labor to reward she leaves to cherish her precious memories, stepchildren, Robin Pemberton and Jimmy Austin both of New York; step grandchildren, Manny, Shen, T'Nika, Shannon, Bleu, Lanaea, and Li; sisters, Eliza Hughes of Chesterfield and Carrie Gwaltney-Williams of Fort Washington, Maryland; a devoted god-daughter, Sabrina Darden; nephews, Lawrence Cottenmond (Marlyn) of Petersburg, Frederick Cottemond of Hopewell, Robert Cypress, III (Anne) of Killeen, Texas, Brad Hughes (Jonna)of Chesterfield, Ashton Gwaltney (Kiviette) of Oxon Hill, Maryland, and John Gwaltney of Fort Washington, Maryland; nieces, Annette C. Baines of Petersburg, Sharon Williams of Florida, Otelia C. Macon (Arthur) of Chester, Delicia Rudolph of Chester, Robin White (Ronald) of Chester; a sister-in-law, Thelma Cottemond of Petersburg; and a host of great nieces, great nephews, relatives and friends. The family would like to thank her devoted nurse, Robin Chase and close friend Stanley Hensond.

Tributes

Dolena Isabelle Pemberton

May 25, 1936 - May 2, 2018