Vernita Dotson

Obituary For Vernita Dotson

Vernita Dotson was born on October 17, 1952, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Ruth Jackson and Arthur Davenport, Sr. She was the ninth of ten children. Vernita was raised with a strong foundation of faith, family, and compassion, values that guided her throughout her life.

At a young age, Vernita accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. She later became a devoted member of New Direction Christian Church, where she served on the First Impression Team, Community Outreach Ministry, and Golden Disciples Ministry. Her faith was evident in the way she lived, served, and encouraged those around her. She loved reading the Bible and was never hesitant to share the Word of God with others.

Vernita graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1972. She began her career as a Home Health Coordinator with the Memphis & Shelby County Health Department. She later worked as an assistant to Attorney Leslie Ballin and at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Continuing her passion for healthcare, she attended Memphis Area Vocational Tech, where she earned her Nursing Assistant diploma. She worked as a nursing assistant and later advanced to become a phlebotomist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Vernita had a compassionate and intuitive spirit and was always willing to help others. She later worked as a Home Services Professional, taking pride in creating clean, comfortable, and welcoming homes for the families she served. Her love for helping others eventually came full circle when she returned to the Shelby County Health Department as a Community Health Coordinator. There, she dedicated herself to assisting underserved individuals and families by providing support, encouragement, and resources. She continued serving others through the Health Department until her passing.

Vernita was a loving and devoted mother who cherished her children. She enjoyed preparing meals, sharing recipes, listening to gospel music, reading the Bible, and spending time with family and friends. She had a special way of making people feel cared for, heard, and valued.

Her father taught her that “Family is Everything,” and Vernita embraced those words throughout her life. She loved her family deeply and extended that same love to her friends, church family, coworkers, and everyone whose life she touched.

After a brief illness, Vernita transitioned from her earthly home to her eternal home on August 7, 2026, at Methodist University Hospital. While she is no longer with us physically, her love, wisdom, faith, and the lives she touched will continue to live on.

Vernita was preceded in death by her siblings, Willie Jean Wilkins, Lamar Embry, Arthur Davenport, Jr., Mary Davenport-Jackson, Betty Davenport-Sims, Joyce Davenport-Booker, Doris Davenport-Brinkley, and Clarice Wilson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Marius L. Scott (Sabrina); her daughter, Marcia L. Scott; her sister, Ruby Conley of Blytheville, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and her special extended family at the Shelby County Health Department and New Direction Christian Church.

Vernita will be remembered for her unwavering faith, loving heart, generous spirit, devotion to family, and commitment to serving others. Her life reflected the power of faith, family, love, and compassion. Though she has entered her eternal rest, her legacy will live on, and her memory will forever be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

Blessed by The Best and Praying for The Rest

Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 28th, 2026 11:00am at New Direction Christian Church, 6120 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38115

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