Cora Bell Gidding

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” John 6:47 Cora Bell Gidding began her journey of life on August 10, 1910, in Eufula, Alabama when she became the daughter of Gus and Ida Ware. Joining Cora to this union were five sisters and three brothers. Their parents taught them the value of family and that more than anything God loved them unconditionally. Cora gave her life to Christ at an early age. She married the late Willie Dorsey, Sr. in 1933 in Eufula, Alabama. To this union were born three children, Willie James Dorsey, Jr., Earnest James Dorsey, (deceased) and Maggie Thomas. Cora later moved to Lakewood, New Jersey where she would become Mrs. Cora Bell Gidding. She married the late Henry Gidding in 1965. She was a devoted member of the Second Baptist Church in Lakewood where she sang in the choir. Cora was a homemaker and took great pride in the neatness of her home and loved to dress up. She enjoyed singing and playing the guitar. She was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as a virtue because mothers knew the difference between a house and home. So her golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. Cora took very seriously the parenting of her sisters and brothers. She loved her grandchildren dearly and spent lots of time playing games with her great grandchildren. In 1999, Cora moved to Arkadelphia where her daughter, Maggie Thomas, became her primary caregiver. Later, Cora became a resident at the Courtyard Gardens Nursing Facility. Cora always greeted you with a big smile never forgetting to remind you that she was born, August 10, 1910. Cora’s sweet life came to a close on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at the Courtyard Gardens Nursing Facility, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Through all 10 decades of her life, Cora was always there to give a helping hand and provide advice. She gave generously to those in need and inspired everyone who crossed her path. Cora was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Gidding and her son, Earnest James Dorsey. Her sisters, Ceremaude Williams, Lillian Chester, Mentora Williams, Laura Helm, and Mertis Johnson. Her brothers, Arthur Ware, TJ Ware, and Earnest Ware. Because love is far greater that death Cora departs this earth in body only. She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories, two children, Willie Dorsey of Lakewood, New Jersey and Maggie Thomas of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; 19 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mrs. Gidding will lie in repose on Thursday from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m on Friday, May 4th at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., is the pastor and will preach the celebration message. The committal and final resting place will be in Piney Grove Cemetery. Bearers of the casket will be her grandsons Gary Dorsey, Troy Thomas, Anderson Thomas, Jr., Donnie Thomas, Jeff Thomas, Scott Thomas. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”