Tributes

On May 14th, 1926, the Heavens blessed us with the grace, kindness, beauty and love of Sallie Ophelia Dove. On February 2nd, 2020, the Heavens reclaimed their blessed angel Sallie calling her spirit home to rest in God’s arms. Born in rural Mississippi to the late John Dove and Daisy Hamilton Dove, Sallie was the third of twelve siblings- Annie Leora (Harrison) Riley, Nina Belle (Earl) Woodfox, Sallie Ophelia (John) Dilworth, Lemuel (Katherine) Dove, Thessalone (Lou Annie) Dove, Lawry (Gertrude) Dove, Harley (Willie Mae) Dove, Henry Dira (Mary) Dove, Dorsey (Raymond, Sr.) Fry, Levastus (Louise) Dove, Benjamin (Janie Ruth) Dove, Marlene (Herman) Warren. Being a precocious and astute child, Sallie began reading the Bible at an early age and accepted Christ as her Savior. Both her parents were Adventists and became inspirational leaders along her path to knowing and loving God. Sister Dilworth has been an active, devoted and faithful member of Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church serving over seventy years since moving to San Antonio at age twenty-three. Her devotion to sharing the word of God with others has been a sphere of golden light radiating throughout the community. Even in illness, Sister Dilworth devoted time to studying and reading the Bible. After finishing her schooling in Mississippi, Sallie and her older sister Nina were given the opportunity to work with Message Magazine and travel in order to earn a scholarship to pay for their education. One of the destinations on their journey was Tuskegee, Alabama - a mecca for young professional African Americans, both military and civil service. While residing there, Sallie met and married the love of her life, John Dilworth- a Tuskegee Airman, on June 2nd, 1945. Four children were born to that union. For over twenty-six years Sallie worked as a nurse. Nursing was her life’s work and legacy. By fulfilling her duties as a nurse, Sallie was able to reach out to patients in need, challenge herself to find solutions to assist those patients, and perform her duties with excitement and enduring hope for others. Her – “I Can”- attitude in life built an- “I Do” world that influenced her many friends and family members with feelings of positive self-esteem and pride. Nursing provided Sallie with unspeakable joy to celebrate a calling in life that she had been anointed to perform. Sallie loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and family members. She taught them the Bible and reminded them that, “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow!” -Proverbs Sallie was preceded in death by her parents- John and Daisy Dove, her spouse- John Dilworth, Sr., her son – John Dilworth, Jr., ten of her eleven siblings – Leora Riley, Nina Woodfox, Lemuel Dove, Thessalone Dove, Lawry Dove, Harley Dove, Henry Dove, Dorsey Fry, Levastus Dove, Benjamin Dove, and her Daughter-in-Law Marian Dilworth. Sallie Ophelia Dilworth leaves to cherish and mourn her memories: Her Sister- Marlene Warren (Herman), Her Children-Lula Dilworth Springs, Douglas Patrick Dilworth (Velma), James Carvel Dilworth (Marian – deceased), along with a host of Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, other relatives/ family members, and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Mission Park South. Funeral Service is on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church 4123 E. Houston St, San Antonio, Tx 78220 with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Tributes

Sallie O. Dilworth

May 14, 1926 - February 2, 2020