Elder Rozell Dotstry

Elder Rozell Dotstry, 92, of Union City, died Thursday, June 14, 2023, at his home.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in East View Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Elder Rozelle Dotstry, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, gospel singer, veteran, pastor but most of all - lover of God, was born in Lucy, TN on November 30, 1930, to the late Dan and Mattie Dotstry.

He attended and graduated school in Woodstock TN. In 1950 Elder Dotstry enlisted and served in the United States Army and fought in the Korean war, serving this country with great courage. During the war he was exposed to chemical warfare and was diagnosed with a brain tumor from which he later lost his vision. He was given a grim diagnosis and was not expected to survive but holding true to form, he not only survived but thrived and was able to serve as a lead and baritone singer with Voices of Zion and McKenzie Spiritual. He was a teacher – leading by example, a pastor - dedicated to the flock and an encourager to all that was blessed to know him.

Following his service in the armed forces, he answered the call to preach the gospel and was unstoppable in his pursuit of compelling men and women to give their lives to Christ. He is known in Union City and the surrounding areas for his song “I’ve been running for Jesus for a long time and I ain’t got tired yet.” In 1980 he accepted the assignment of Pastor at BashanBaptist Church and did so until 2020. For 40 years he pastored, preached, and sang and once again holding true to form overcame losing his voice and other illnesses to diligently serve.He refused to allow anything to hinder his God-ordained assignment. He ran until Heaven beckoned and called him on June 14th when the angels ushered from the temporal to the everlasting.

From his first marriage, that union produced three children, whose mother preceded him in death. Pam (Steve) Middlebrook, Marilyn Davis, Rozelle Jr (Josephine) Dotstry; 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many loving family members.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and dedicated wife of 43 years Janet Dotstry who faithfully stood by his side until the very end. Two very special bonus grandchildren that he helped raise, Kendra Nicole Young and Ventrelle Noonan, Four bonus children Cynthia Y. Mack, of Union City, TN; Ina Ruth (David) Moffatt of Gadsden, AL; Kevin Payne, of Atlanta GA; James H. Payne II of Union City TN; a sister-in-law, Neomia Graham ;17 bonus grandchildren; 20 bonus greatgrandchildren; and a host of friends and family.

Elder Dotstry will be missed greatly by his family, church family, friends and all whose lives he impacted during his God-given years.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Ethel Mae Sims; two brothers, Jessie Dan Dotstry aka preacher; Dave Dotstry Graham; a son-in-law, Morris Davis; a grandchild, Reginal Dotstry and a bonus grandchild Gerald Antonio Mack Jr.

Rawls Funeral Home - Union City - Union City 731-885-8110