KILMARNOCK—Gilbert Francis Dorman died October 7, 2022, at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, Richmond, with his wife, Roberta, and brother, Oliver, with him.
Gilbert was born August 8, 1938, in Seaford, Del., the fourth of eight children born to the late Martha Vincent and Granville Nathan Dorman. Gilbert was affectionately called “Pat” by his family. He was educated in the public schools of Seafood and graduated from William C. Jason High School in Georgetown, Del, in 1956. He later received an Associate in Arts from Columbia College.
Gilbert enlisted in the United States Army where he achieved the rank of master sergeant. He was deployed to Germany, France and Vietnam. He was stationed at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY, DGSC, Chesterfield. His last station was at Fort Lee, where he retired as an army recruiter. He received an Honorable Discharge on December 31, 1983.
While in the Army, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Driver Badge, Armed Forces Honor Medal 2d Class, Good Conduct Medal (7), Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Overseas Service Bars (2), Overseas Service Ribbon (1) and Army Service Ribbon.
Gilbert was an avid baseball and football fan. His favorite baseball teams were the New York Yankees and New York Mets; favorite football team was the New York Giants.
Gilbert grew up in the church and was a member of Macedonia AME Church, Seaford. Upon moving to Lancaster, he became an active member of Willie Chapel Baptist Church and was baptized September 11, 1988. Gilbert served as trustee chair, Sunday school superintendent, a member of the gospel chorus and the men’s chorus.
He was very active in the Northern Neck Baptist Association Inc. Commission of Churches, where he served as president, Northern Neck Berean Sunday School Commission. Being very civic minded he served his community in many capacities as a member of the NAACP, where he served as treasurer, the Lancaster County Democratic Committee as treasurer, a member of the Lancaster County Electoral Board, a member of the board of directors for the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic and president, Crusaders Political Club and the American Legion, Kilmarnock. He served as an installer for an interior design business.
Dorman was a part of the Berry O. Waddy Funeral Home for more than 20 years; he and Berry became like brothers.
Gilbert and Roberta were married May 28, 1977, celebrating 45 years.
Gilbert was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Ronald Dorman, Gerald Dorman, Frederick Dorman and Keith Dorman.
Cherishing Gilbert’s memory are his loving and devoted wife, Roberta B. Dorman; and a devoted daughter, Daphne J. Dorman; siblings Patricia Randall of Oakland, Calif., Oliver Dorman (Gwen) of Newark, Del., and Leland Dorman (Tessie) of Laughlin, Nev; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Dorman of Chesapeake, Claudia Dorman of Bear, Del., Jacquelyn Blackwell (Eli) of Portsmouth; brother-in-law, Cephus Butler (Maxine) of Gloucester; mother-in-law, Mary J. Butler of Lancaster; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including close and special friends, Ella Davis, Berry Waddy, O’Neil Henderson and Blanchard Gaither.
Funeral services were held at noon Saturday, October 22, at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Reedville, where Rev. Willard C Felton is pastor. Rev. Rose M. Curry, pastor of the Willie Chapel Baptist Church, officiated and Rev. Dr. Rodney D. Waller, pastor of First African Baptist Church Richmond, served as eulogist.
Interment followed at 1 p.m. Friday, November 4, at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Berry O. Waddy Funeral Home of Lancaster handled the arrangements.
