In the midst of a sea of floral tokens, while soft strains of music played by Marguerite Robinson-Chapman vied with the delicate fragrance of costly blossoms, rested the remains of Dorothy Stevenson Perry, 22, wife of the famous comedian, Stepin Fetchit (Lincoln Perry) as hundreds from all walks of life passed by the scented bier last Monday night in the chapel of Angelus Funeral Home. This ceremony was the beginning of the last rites for the young woman who died at Dore sanatarium near Monrovia last Saturday following an illness of nearly two years. Final services were conducted at St. Patrick's Catholic church, 34th street near Central avenue, Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, with the Angelus Funeral Home in charge. A high requiem mass was read with Father Deamtio officiating. The deceased resided at 300 N. Bonnie Brae. She was born in Natchez, Mississippi, coming to Los Angeles 12 years ago. While working as a chorus girl in 1929 she met and married the popular screen idol. Their son, Jemajo, is four years old. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery.
Shocking both within and without the theatrical and motion picture profession, came the startling news that Dorothy Stevenson-Perry, girl wife of Stepin-Fetchit, had passed away after a long and lingering illness. In a beautiful though tragic setting the end came to the pretty auburn haired girl at a Sanitarium in Monrovia where she had staged a brave but losing fight against the dreaded white plague. Struck down by the grim reaper at the age of 22, she met him bravely when she sensed his black shadow had fallen across the threshold. "I'm going now", thank you all so kindly for all your kindness to me. But please leave the room as I want to pass away alone, she whispered with a childish smile on her face. "I am so happy", she concluded turning her face side ways to the pillow and closing her eyes as they all tipping silently out... All but Lincoln Perry, her husband, better known as "Stepin Fetchit". Heart-broken and speechless but determined to be present at the end, he hid behind a screen and was kneeling at her bedside as she drifted into the great beyond. Others who had remained all day sensing a crisis near, were her mother, Mrs. Lee Stephenson, from the family home at 456 N. Alvarado, a sister, Mary, former wife of Peter Johnson, son of Mr. S.P. Johnson, well known mortician and two aunts.
The deceased girl was quite pretty with grey eyes and reddish brown hair, causing her to often be mistaken for a noted white star. Becoming enamored of her in 1929 while completing "Hearts in Dixie", "Stepin-Fetchit" woed her and they married after a brief courtship. Two years later their first baby was born. "Step" a very devout Catholic insisted that the child christened Jemajo, formed by the first two letters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. At the height of his career, the comedian lavished many luxuries upon her including several automobiles. The large house on East 39th street in which they lived was the scene of many rounds of entertainment.
A second son was born in New York City a year after the year of Jemajo. Both babies survive the mother.
California Eagle (Los Angeles, California)21 Sep 1934, Fri Page 6
Shocking both within and without the theatrical and motion picture profession, came the startling news that Dorothy Stevenson-Perry, girl wife of Stepin-Fetchit, had passed away after a long and lingering illness. In a beautiful though tragic setting the end came to the pretty auburn haired girl at a Sanitarium in Monrovia where she had staged a brave but losing fight against the dreaded white plague. Struck down by the grim reaper at the age of 22, she met him bravely when she sensed his black shadow had fallen across the threshold. "I'm going now", thank you all so kindly for all your kindness to me. But please leave the room as I want to pass away alone, she whispered with a childish smile on her face. "I am so happy", she concluded turning her face side ways to the pillow and closing her eyes as they all tipping silently out... All but Lincoln Perry, her husband, better known as "Stepin Fetchit". Heart-broken and speechless but determined to be present at the end, he hid behind a screen and was kneeling at her bedside as she drifted into the great beyond. Others who had remained all day sensing a crisis near, were her mother, Mrs. Lee Stephenson, from the family home at 456 N. Alvarado, a sister, Mary, former wife of Peter Johnson, son of Mr. S.P. Johnson, well known mortician and two aunts.
The deceased girl was quite pretty with grey eyes and reddish brown hair, causing her to often be mistaken for a noted white star. Becoming enamored of her in 1929 while completing "Hearts in Dixie", "Stepin-Fetchit" woed her and they married after a brief courtship. Two years later their first baby was born. "Step" a very devout Catholic insisted that the child christened Jemajo, formed by the first two letters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. At the height of his career, the comedian lavished many luxuries upon her including several automobiles. The large house on East 39th street in which they lived was the scene of many rounds of entertainment.
A second son was born in New York City a year after the year of Jemajo. Both babies survive the mother.
California Eagle (Los Angeles, California)21 Sep 1934, Fri Page 6
In the midst of a sea of floral tokens, while soft strains of music played by Marguerite Robinson-Chapman vied with the delicate fragrance of costly blossoms, rested the remains of Dorothy Stevenson Perry, 22, wife of the famous comedian, Stepin Fetchit (Lincoln Perry) as hundreds from all walks of life passed by the scented bier last Monday night in the chapel of Angelus Funeral Home. This ceremony was the beginning of the last rites for the young woman who died at Dore sanatarium near Monrovia last Saturday following an illness of nearly two years. Final services were conducted at St. Patrick's Catholic church, 34th street near Central avenue, Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, with the Angelus Funeral Home in charge. A high requiem mass was read with Father Deamtio officiating. The deceased resided at 300 N. Bonnie Brae. She was born in Natchez, Mississippi, coming to Los Angeles 12 years ago. While working as a chorus girl in 1929 she met and married the popular screen idol. Their son, Jemajo, is four years old. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery.
Shocking both within and without the theatrical and motion picture profession, came the startling news that Dorothy Stevenson-Perry, girl wife of Stepin-Fetchit, had passed away after a long and lingering illness. In a beautiful though tragic setting the end came to the pretty auburn haired girl at a Sanitarium in Monrovia where she had staged a brave but losing fight against the dreaded white plague. Struck down by the grim reaper at the age of 22, she met him bravely when she sensed his black shadow had fallen across the threshold. "I'm going now", thank you all so kindly for all your kindness to me. But please leave the room as I want to pass away alone, she whispered with a childish smile on her face. "I am so happy", she concluded turning her face side ways to the pillow and closing her eyes as they all tipping silently out... All but Lincoln Perry, her husband, better known as "Stepin Fetchit". Heart-broken and speechless but determined to be present at the end, he hid behind a screen and was kneeling at her bedside as she drifted into the great beyond. Others who had remained all day sensing a crisis near, were her mother, Mrs. Lee Stephenson, from the family home at 456 N. Alvarado, a sister, Mary, former wife of Peter Johnson, son of Mr. S.P. Johnson, well known mortician and two aunts.
The deceased girl was quite pretty with grey eyes and reddish brown hair, causing her to often be mistaken for a noted white star. Becoming enamored of her in 1929 while completing "Hearts in Dixie", "Stepin-Fetchit" woed her and they married after a brief courtship. Two years later their first baby was born. "Step" a very devout Catholic insisted that the child christened Jemajo, formed by the first two letters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. At the height of his career, the comedian lavished many luxuries upon her including several automobiles. The large house on East 39th street in which they lived was the scene of many rounds of entertainment.
A second son was born in New York City a year after the year of Jemajo. Both babies survive the mother.
California Eagle (Los Angeles, California)21 Sep 1934, Fri Page 6
Shocking both within and without the theatrical and motion picture profession, came the startling news that Dorothy Stevenson-Perry, girl wife of Stepin-Fetchit, had passed away after a long and lingering illness. In a beautiful though tragic setting the end came to the pretty auburn haired girl at a Sanitarium in Monrovia where she had staged a brave but losing fight against the dreaded white plague. Struck down by the grim reaper at the age of 22, she met him bravely when she sensed his black shadow had fallen across the threshold. "I'm going now", thank you all so kindly for all your kindness to me. But please leave the room as I want to pass away alone, she whispered with a childish smile on her face. "I am so happy", she concluded turning her face side ways to the pillow and closing her eyes as they all tipping silently out... All but Lincoln Perry, her husband, better known as "Stepin Fetchit". Heart-broken and speechless but determined to be present at the end, he hid behind a screen and was kneeling at her bedside as she drifted into the great beyond. Others who had remained all day sensing a crisis near, were her mother, Mrs. Lee Stephenson, from the family home at 456 N. Alvarado, a sister, Mary, former wife of Peter Johnson, son of Mr. S.P. Johnson, well known mortician and two aunts.
The deceased girl was quite pretty with grey eyes and reddish brown hair, causing her to often be mistaken for a noted white star. Becoming enamored of her in 1929 while completing "Hearts in Dixie", "Stepin-Fetchit" woed her and they married after a brief courtship. Two years later their first baby was born. "Step" a very devout Catholic insisted that the child christened Jemajo, formed by the first two letters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. At the height of his career, the comedian lavished many luxuries upon her including several automobiles. The large house on East 39th street in which they lived was the scene of many rounds of entertainment.
A second son was born in New York City a year after the year of Jemajo. Both babies survive the mother.
California Eagle (Los Angeles, California)21 Sep 1934, Fri Page 6
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