Emerick Dorsey, Sr.

Obituary For Emerick Dorsey, Sr.

Emerick Lewis Dorsey Sr., was born October 21, 1963, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Josephine Branch-Dorsey and Thomas Dorsey. In the 70’s, Emerick Lewis Dorsey Sr. was placed in foster care along with his siblings. His foster parents, Oscar & Ophelia Hollswell, took him in until he was of age. At age 13, he was baptized at Temple of Deliverance under the late Bishop GE Patterson. During his teenage years, Emerick Sr. delivered newspapers as his first job. As he became of age, he worked for Church’s Chicken where he worked at several locations in Memphis.

In 1985 while working at Church’s Chicken, he met Patricia Hall who he married in 1989 and had three children, Elecia, Lorraine, and Denzel. In his mid–twenties, Emerick Sr. adopted the nickname “Slick Rick” because of the popularity he had with the ladies. During this time until his forties, Emerick Sr. spent his spare time playing basketball at St. Luke’s with his longtime friends, Taurus Bradford, Rodney Rayford, and Rodney Earl. Emerick Sr. also worked for the IRS from 1999 until 2022. This is where he met his second wife, Patrice Lewis.

When Emerick Lewis Dorsey Sr. was in good health, his hobbies also included trips to the casino and selling CDs and DVDs with his friend, John. On the morning of June 29, Emerick Lewis Dorsey Sr. took his last breath at approximately 8:26 am.

Emerick Lewis Dorsey Sr. had a total of ten children – six daughters, Elecia Dorsey, Lorraine Dorsey, Ashley Cohen, Laqueisha Dorsey, Amber Cohen, and Anitria Dorsey, and four sons, Marcus Deon Dorsey (Ebony Dorsey), Emerick Lewis Dorsey Jr., Denzel Lewis Dorsey, and De’Arrion Dorsey. Emerick Sr. had nine siblings of which six were brothers, Marcus Dorsey (Yolanda Dorsey), Carl Dorsey, Jeffery Dorsey (deceased), Marvin Michael Dorsey, Timothy Dorsey, and Steven Olden (Marie Olden) (both deceased). His three sisters are Debra Dorsey-Collins (Willie Collins), Sharon Johnson (Edward Sidney), and Marcia Dorsey (deceased). Emerick Sr. had 13 grandchildren, Amari, Blessyn, Carter, Erian, Eriana, Ethan, Jaiveon, Kelsey, Kennedi, Keshawn, King, Paisley, and Peyton, and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 10:00am-11:55am with a Celebration of Life to follow at 12:00noon both will be held at RS Lewis & Sons 2944 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38111.

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