Dorothy Ruth Ateman was born on June 10, 1940 to Alberta Bridgeman and Lewis Rice Sr.

She attended Penola County Schools in Mississippi. After having 6 loving children she migrated north to Detroit, I in 1963. She joined and was later baptized at Dexter Baptist Church. After years of service there, she started fellowshipping at New Bethel Baptist Church and subsequently joined. Dorothy enjoyed ushering=, on  usher board #3. Dorothy was a very strong and positive influence on all she met. Her strength and character were obvious to everyone. Momma enjoyed cooking, creative baking, playing cards, Listening to "Al Green" and dancing, but most of all she enjoyed playing with her grandchildren. She always remembered how life circumstances sometimes aren't fair, so she firmly believed in helping others.

In 1972 Dorothy started working at General Motors Corporation. Where she was an assembly line worker, and eventually promoted to Inspector. She enjoyed working there until her retirement in 2002. After retiring she mainly relaxed and concentrated on church and grandchildren.

Dorothy leaves to celebrate and cherish her beautiful memory, children: Milton, Lawrence (Janice), Kelvin (Angela), Faye, Maye, & Sandra. Siblings: Isabella, Ecclesiastes (Vernice), Freddie-Lee, James (Paula), Dorothy, Twanna, Sharonda Faye, Patrick (Debbra). She was preceded in death by her father: Lewis Rice, mother: Alberta Rice, Siblings: Lewis, Jr., Archie Ray, Maxi Lee, Pearle, Iris Lee, grandsons: Kevin and Juan, and a host of family and friends