Lillie Dolores Preston Merritt was born on October 25, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the second of three children from the union of Lillie Freeman Preston and Eugene Preston. Dolores moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1953 where she attended Wayne State University from which she received her Bachelor of Education, Master of Education, Doctor of Education and Sociology and Law School degrees.

Dolores' early aspiration was to be a teacher, an occupation she served in from 1957 to 1988. She retired from the Detroit Public School System a few years later as an attorney in the Labor Relations Department for Detroit Public Schools. In 1982, Dolores graduated from law school fulfilling a second aspiration. She later went into private practice in an all-black female firm and continued to work as a private practice attorney for 44 years. Dolores was also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

In 1956, Dolores met and married Willie C. Love with whom she bore two children, Deborah Jameen Love, Professor and Entrepreneur and Lynnette Alicia Love, Instructor and Olympic Medalist in 1988 (Gold) and 1992 (Bronze). In 1962 She married Clifton J. Cooper, with whom she bore two children, Esther Rene Cooper, police officer and Dr. Stephen Bernard Cooper, Chiropractor & CEO of ChiMedical Mgt in Georgia and Alabama. In February 1996, Dolores married James D. Merritt with whom she spent happy and memorable years before his passing 2015.

Dolores joined church at the age of twelve and was baptized at the Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. She joined New Mt Zion Baptist Church in 1962, when she moved to Detroit. In the mid 1970's she joined Greater New Mt. Moriah under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hooks, where she has remained until her death. She was a member of the GNMMBC Scholarship Commission and always sat in the Deaf Ministry area at church.

Dolores loved to travel and traveled to such places as Hong Kong, Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, England, Spain, China, and Italy. In her travels, she attended the 1988 Olympics in Seoul Korea and 1992 in Spain. She was a faithful member of the Detroit Bridge Unit and traveled the tournament circle playing bridge and making a host of friends. She was a charter member of the Greater Metro Detroit Lions Club of District 11 A 1 which chartered in February of 2009 and held various positions. In addition, she was a legal advocate for families with deaf children and others in the deaf community. She assisted many UAW Employee with legal matters.

Dolores lived a full life and she "did it her way." Her faith was unyielding. She always said that she prayed every day for her children and grandchildren. A week before she passed, when asked what she wanted us to do for her, her response with clarity "pray—just pray."

Dolores parted this life on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the age of 93 years old. Her Mother, Lillie Young, sisters, Mable Cecelia Preston Armstead Anthony, Lauverta Mae Brewer, Husband, James D. Merritt, Son-in-law, Anthony Williams, niece, Donna June Jackson, nephews, Rochester "Butch" Smith, Maurice Smith, and Michael Smith preceded her in death.

She leaves to morn her passing, her four children, Deborah Jameen Love-Peel, Lynnette Alicia Love, Esther Rene Cooper Williams and Stephen B. Cooper (Lisa); three grandchildren, Eboni Latifah Love-Peel, Senior at Gallaudet, Taylor Abiana Cooper, government contractor and 1st Lt. Stephen Brice Cooper, and her plus grandchildren, Devon DeShawn Patillo, Marketing &P R Music Coordinator and Rosa Blanco Padilla, Social worker, Nieces, Sharon Smith and Denise Jackson, Nephew, Kenny Smith and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, loving family and friends which included her two remaining close friends and travel partners, Carol Fields and Rev. Cecilia Holloway.

Saturday April 25, 2026/

Memorial Service/

Visitation 10:30 AM/

Service 11:00 AM/

Greater New Mt Moriah Baptist Church/

586 Owen/

Detroit/