Dorothy Ruth Kea

Mrs. Dorothy R. Kea transitioned from labor to reward on November 21, 2024. Dorothy, affectionately known as “Dot or Peep,” to her closest friends and co-workers, was born on September 21, 1936, in Commerce, Georgia to the late Robert and Francine Harris. During her early years, Dorothy attended grade school and later graduated from Johntown High School in Commerce, Georgia, where she was a member of the school’s varsity basketball team. She often spoke of her fondness for her hometown and the many men, women, and friends that influenced her in her youth. Dorothy came to Christ at an early age and was a member of Warren Chapel AME in Commerce, Georgia. After relocating to Gainesville, Georgia, she joined St. Paul United Methodist Church where she sang in the Chancel Hymn Choir, volunteered with the Willing Workers Guild, and ushered for many years before transferring her membership to St. John Baptist Church. She loved her church and community and allowed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to guide her work in the community. She was an early member of the Newtown Florist Club under the leadership of Mrs. Ruby Wilkins, and later, Mrs. Faye Bush. Her faith was central to her life, and she leaned on her faith through family losses and during challenging times. She reinforced her faith through daily prayer, church attendance, and regular bible-reading. In her later years, her bible, though tattered, was always open, marked, and never far away. One of her favorite pastimes was attending church concerts with her mother, Francine. As a young adult, she pursued training in early childhood education and received certificates from Lanier Tech and Appalachian State University. She started her career in early childhood education in 1966 as a Kindergarten Teacher for Ninth District Head Start, and later as a Social Worker for the Community Service Center. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open and operate Kiddie Kollege in the former Green Hunter Homes daycare center. She worked for the Chestatee Regional Library as a Circulation Tech, and later assisted as a para-professional at Centennial Elementary School and Enota Elementary School. She was a strong advocate for early childhood education. She also believed that children should be taught to read as early as possible. After retiring from the classroom, she became a licensed provider for adults with special needs and hosted numerous adults in her home for over 15 years. Dorothy loved her family and enjoyed traveling. She enjoyed having her grandchildren visit during the summer months. She cruised and traveled with her children and grandchildren and was delighted by their achievements: high school and college graduations, and military service. She marveled at what her children and grandchildren accomplished academically and professionally. Her grit, tenacity, tender heart, gifts for teaching and encouragement left an indelible mark on the lives of her children, grandchildren, and her students. In the community, she was known as an impeccable dresser. She loved dressing well. Not one women’s boutique in Gainesville escaped her scrutiny. Her radiant smile, easy-going demeanor, and loving heart matched her taste for clothes. The compliments from young women were numerous as many would say to her, “I want to be like you when I grow up,” which always warmed her heart. She would not go to the mailbox without looking her best. At her assisted living facility, her new friends continually complimented her fashion taste. Indeed, she was a true fashionista. Dorothy was preceded in death by her late husband, Curtis W. Kea; and her ex-husband, Gholston W. “Charlie” Peeples; her brother, Bobbie Harris; her daughter, Dorothea “Rita” Harris; and her youngest son, Dwarn Patrick Peeples. She leaves to cherish her memory sons, Darrell (Dior) Harris; Ken (Ethel) Harris, and Andreas (Felecia) Peeples; her loving grandchildren: Kenneth L. R. Harris, BS, MS; Robert Harris, Sr.; Dr. Peyton K. Harris; Max A. (India) Harris, JD; Ala Harbin, Arita (R.J.) Berkley, BS; Bryanna Peeples, BS; Nia S. Harris, BA, BA, MA; Chase A. Peeples, BS; Alexa Harris, BS; Schyler Peeples, BS (Candidate); and eight great-grandchildren. Also, Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory 1st cousin, Zeffer Norwood; nieces, Barbara Beasley, and Gloria Dean (Nate) Anderson; Ruby Nell Yarborough (2nd Cousin), Eugene and Gwen Castlin, Patrica Lott, Minnie Moody, Anne Morrow, Bea Stephens, Faye Bush, Bernice Wimpey, Hazel Giles, Helen Anderson and a host of other relatives, dear friends, and her beloved St. John Baptist Church family.

Dorothy Ruth Kea

September 21, 1936 - November 21, 2024