Howard Ezekiel " Zeke" Dorsey

Howard Ezekiel “Zeke” Dorsey, 70, of Valdosta, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at his home. Born in Sylvester to the late Rev. Robbins Elmer & Elia Lilley Dorsey, he grew up all over South Georgia as his father served as a United Methodist Minister. The Dorsey’s lived in many communities including Pelham and Hawkinsville, where Zeke graduated from Hawkinsville High School in 1972. While there, he met the former Jessie Halstead, they started dating and were married on September 9, 1973, in Hawkinsville. The couple soon moved to Valdosta so Zeke could attend and graduate from Valdosta State College with a degree in Finance. Soon after graduation, Zeke began a career in banking at the C & S Bank in April of 1976. In the early 1990’s, he moved over to Park Avenue Bank, and he worked there for a decade before finally moving to Citizens Community Bank in the early 2000’s. Zeke concluded his 47 year career in banking when he retired from Citizens on June 30, 2023. Zeke was a people person who took great pride in being a consumer lender and helping many people in the Valdosta area open their first bank account or take out their first loan. A faithful member of Park Avenue Church, he and Jessie were members of the Pairs & Spares Sunday School class and served in many other capacities over the years at Park Avenue. For many years, he was devoted to refereeing high school basketball all over South Georgia where he developed many lasting friendships. He was an avid fan of Valdosta State University sports teams following many Blazer teams through the years. He was also a member of the Exchange Club of Valdosta.

Being a lifelong fan of Motown music, he made sure his family and friends knew his favorites and made them yours. He had an inherited love of fishing from his father which he passed to the next generations. He especially loved fishing the Little River locally, as well as many trips to the St. Johns River in Florida with numerous fishing buddies. A storyteller of masterclass, he always had a good one to tell and never met a stranger that didn’t want to hear one of his. He instilled a deep love of family that extended far beyond his immediate family to the generations before and behind him. He valued many deep friendships some of which have spanned most of his life. His faith in Christ was his foundation and now his legacy.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 50 years, Jessie Halstead Dorsey of Valdosta; two sons and a daughter in law, Matterson & Heather Dorsey of Valdosta and Rex Dorsey of Dahlonega; two grandchildren, Jake & Addyson Dorsey of Valdosta, and a sister and brother in law, Robin & Sam Zamarripa, of Dahlonega. Also surviving are two sisters in law and a brother in law, Myra & Bill Hurst and Patricia Southwell, all of Hawkinsville; four nieces and nephews, Eva Z. (& Eduardo) Gonzalez, and Jane Z. (& Nicolas) Garcia, all of Atlanta, Hall (& Cindy) Hurst of Warner Robins and P.K. (& Kimberly) Hurst of Hawkinsville and numerous great nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother in law, Greg Southwell. 

The funeral for Mr. Dorsey will be held at 11 am on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Park Avenue Church. Rev. Craig Rikard, Rev. Jamie Bone and Rev. Jimmy Towson will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Carson McLane Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5 until 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Park Avenue Church for Missions or the Building Fund, at www.parkave.church or 100 E. Park Avenue, Valdosta GA, 31602. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home