The Obituary of Doris Mae Mortimer

Doris Mae Mortimer was born on October 30, 1939, in Chowan County, North Carolina, to the late Thomas Claude Rodgers of Edenton, NC, and the late Annie Mae Newby Rodgers of Shiloh, NC; and was called home to be with the lord and her beloved husband James Mortimer, III, on November 3, 2025.

Doris was the second of seven children. She is survived by two beloved siblings: her sister, Mary Elizabeth Granby, wife of the late William Granby, Sr., of Virginia Beach, VA; and her brother, Walter Lee Rodgers, and his wife, Melicent Knight Rodgers, of Hyattsville, MD. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Thomas Junior Rodgers, Clarence Elvin Rodgers, Wilhelmena Rodgers Carter, and James Collins Rodgers.

Doris attended public schools in Hertford, NC (Perquimans County), and graduated from Perquimans Training School in 1956. She went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC, in 1961. During her time at North Carolina Central University, Doris was an active member of the Spanish Club, Commerce Club, the Yearbook Committee, and was affiliated with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Following her education, Doris began a long and meaningful career with the New York City Department of Social Services, where she worked as a social worker for over 25 years until she retired in 1996. Her compassion, diligence, and dedication to the welfare of children guided her important work in child placement and adoption services, ensuring that countless children found loving and permanent homes.

On August 24, 1963, at the age of 23, Doris married the love of her life, James Henry Mortimer, III, in Brooklyn, NY. Together they raised two children, Chantese and the late James Mortimer, IV.

Doris was a devoted follower of Christ and lived her faith through service, kindness, and love for others. She became a beloved member of Mariners' Temple Baptist Church in 1976, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Carl E. Flemister. Throughout her years of service, she faithfully attended Bible Study, served as a member of the New Disciple and Follow Up Ministry, a Sunday School Teacher, a Mother of the Church, and choir member.

Outside of her professional and church life, Doris enjoyed many hobbies. She loved baking her favorites, macaroni and cheese, carrot cake, and pound cake, along with reading and solving challenging sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Doris is survived by her devoted daughter, Chantese Green and her husband Jabron Green of New York City; grandchildren, Bianca Marcelino of New York City, Jalin Sinclair of New York City and Tyler Mortimer of Maine; great-grandchild, Rylee Bond of New York City; her sister, Mary Elizabeth Granby of Virginia Beach, VA; her brother, Walter Lee Rodgers and wife Melicent Knight Rodgers of Hyattsville, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and her Mariners' Temple Baptist Church family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband James H. Mortimer, III; son, James H. Mortimer, IV; grandson, James H. Mortimer, V; brothers-in-law: William Granby, Sr., and Henry Lloyd Carter, Sr.; and sister-in-law: Ethel Bembury Rodgers.

Doris Mae Mortimer will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her nurturing spirit, and her unconditional love for family, friends and community.