MOTHER DOROTHY LEE TANZE
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MOTHER DOROTHY's obituary
Dorothy Lee Tanze was born December 7, 1949 in Charleston, MS to the late Clarence Howard and Queen Elizabeth Yarbrough (Crowder). She passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025 at her home.
Dorothy moved to Chicago, IL at an early age where she met and later united in holy matrimony to the late Willie Tanze. Dorothy later moved to Aurora, IL and attended the House of Refuge Church where she became a Mother of the church and a Sunday School Teacher. While there, she faithfully served under the leadership of Pastor Virgil L. Black.
Dorothy also started “Dorothy Tanze Toy Giveaway.” Dorothy was a giver in every
sense of the word. She didn't just show up —she showed out!
She went out of her way for people, over and beyond, every single time. Whether
you needed a shoulder, a meal, a prayer, or just a laugh-she had it ready!
She poured herself into others with a love that was loud, generous, and unshakable. She was sweet, thoughtful, and deeply loved by so many. But if there's one thing that truly captures who she was — it's this: she did the most!
With her time, with her heart, with her love —she did the most! And that's what made her unforgettable.
Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories her children: Doris (Tyrone) Howard-Maxwell of Chicago, IL, Thom Howard of Aurora, IL, Loletha (James) Harris of Aurora, IL, Demetrius (Tesa) Tanze of Smyrna, GA, Harold Crowder of Aurora, IL, Lezzarick Crowder of Aurora, IL, Willie Tanze Jr. of Aurora, IL, Willie Mae Hunter of Greenwood, MS, Carla Ann (Walter) Hunter of Greenwood, MS, Robert Tanze of Aurora, CO;
her sisters: Mary Lou Daniels of Aurora, IL, Linda Housley of Kewanee, IL, Leslie Crowder of Chicago, IL, Rachel Crowder of Charleston, MS; her brothers: Terry Crowder Sr. of South Haven, MS, Walter Crowder Jr. and Rayvon Crowder both of Charleston, MS. God-daughter Tadzia Lee, special niece Elizabeth Matthews, special friend Phyllis Dockery-Miller, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents: Clarence Howard and Queen Elizabeth Yarbrough (Crowder), Walter Crowder Sr.; her husband Willie Tanze; her daughter Cynthia Howard; son Robert Lee Crowder; her grandson Daimaree
Raymell Anthony Crowder; her sisters: Betty Ann Redd, Annie Lee Shaw, Willie Mae Crowder, and Martha Betty Weaver; her brothers: Junior Lee Howard, James Parker, Mitchell Crowder, Ray C. Green, Joe E. Green; her nieces: Barbara Ann Willis, Angel Crowder, and Joann Willis; her brother-in-laws Tollie Redd, Van Housley, Robert Weaver; special friends Lina Mitchell and Virginia Hinton.
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