Doretha Marie Walker-Royster

Doretha Marie Royster was born on August 13, 1941 to George and Pauline Walker in Nansemond County, Virginia. She graduated from East Suffolk High School in 1960. In 1960, she relocated to New York City. She married Fred L. Royster Sr. in 1962, and had three children Gerald, Fred, and Dawn. In 1968, she worked for the New York City Board of Education as a para professional. In 1978, because of her love for children she left the New York City Board of Education to become owner of a successful day care center which she named Abundant Faith Day Care Center. She employed many people in the community. She was so successful that the former Mayor of New York City, Edward Koch came by to take pictures and shower her with an award. Doretha was fun loving and outgoing. She also loved fashion. She took pride in her appearance and was always impeccably dressed. She loved entertaining people in her home. When her son Fred would could home during his college breaks he would bring his college friends home with him and she would prepare a smorgasbord of food. They especially liked the home made yeast rolls. She loved to play music and dance. In fact, in 1959 she was on a televised episode at her high school of American Bandstand with Dick Clark. She won that dance contest. She also taught herself how to play the piano. She loved going to church, playing cards, and doing puzzles. She loved board games and was very competitive. She loved to win and liked trash talking. Her favorite line was “I’m a beat your butt”. Her favorite basketball team was the Los Angeles Lakers and her favorite player was Kobe Bryant. She often said that he was in her back pocket. Throughout all her trials and tribulations her faith was unshaken and unwavering. She never gave up and fought to the end. She wanted people to know how much she loved her children and how much they loved her. Throughout her lifetime her children surrounded her with love, care, and tender affection. Doretha was respectable, loving, caring, giving, full of vigor, confident, and energetic. She left her mark on everyone that met her. There will never be another person like her and she will be greatly missed. The Family would like to thank Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics for the excellent medical care the team gave to Doretha during her 9 year battle with cancer. The Family would also like to thank the Pastor and members of Mt. Lebanon Church of God and Christ, Elder Michael Eaton, and Minister Roland Eaton for their support.A wake will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2017 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Mt. Lebanon Church of God in Christ in the Hobson Section of Suffolk. She will be laid to rest in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Doretha Marie Walker-Royster, please visit our flower store.