Dorothy Russell Raley

Dorothy Russell Raley, 89 of Leonardtown, MD passed away peacefully on October 3, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Dorothy was born on June 21, 1934 in Loveville, MD to the late Bernard Howard Russell and Mary Elvie Johnson Russell. Dorothy married the late Floyd Aloysius Raley, Sr., November 26, 1955 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was the mother of Floyd Aloysius “Al” Raley Jr and Joyce Raley Lloyd and her husband, Kenny all of Mechanicsville; her grandchildren Randy Raley and his wife, Paula and Heather Raley; great-granddaughter, Lauren Raley. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Bernadine “Bea” Raley and Elvie Mae “Teeny” Simpson. She was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy. After graduation, she started her career at Burch Oil Company and then Ridgell Oil Company. She worked at Ridgell Oil until her retirement at the age of 80. While working, she was a St. Mary’s County Orphan’s Court Judge from 1984-2002. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Williamsburg with her sisters, painting ceramics and crocheting. Most importantly, Dorothy loved and was loved by her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be missed deeply and remembered fondly by all. She was a devoted catholic and attended mass every weekend until her decline in health. Special thanks to caregivers Vivian, Helen, Dean, Mona, Stacey and Carol. They provided excellent care and went above and beyond to ensure her comfort. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with prayers recited at 7:30 pm in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 9:30 am in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Randy Raley, Kenny Lloyd, Billy Simpson, Rusty Greenwell, Jeffrey Raley and Rodney Madewell. Honorary pallbearers will be Heather Raley, Larry Greenwell, Wayne Raley and Wade Wood. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s County, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 22800 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.