Malessia Dennis

After a valiant and courageous health battle, Malessia A. Dennis, won the reward of a life well lived and is peacefully resting in the arms of our Lord. Born on May 5, 1938, in the small coal mining town in Bossavain, VA to the late Willie Flipping Sr. and Beatrice Flipping Luck, she was the 6th child of 9 siblings. She relocated with her mother to Willow Grove, PA during her high school years. It was there that she met the love of her life, Aflred R. Dennis, who in short order became her loving husband and the father of their four beautiful daughters.

In June 1974, she graduated cum laude with an Associate’s Degree in Mental Health from Montgomery County College, and in January 1977, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Administration from Antioch College; all while working fulltime and raising her family. She worked for the Montgomery County Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Drug and Alcohol Department, where she became the first African American Case Management Director of a county wide agency.

Malessia's community involvement was unparrellal; she founded a community organization The Citizens for Progress, The Crestmont Day Care Center and the Dickens Auxiliary Board of the Abington Memorial Hospital where she was the first president. She was selected as the first African American woman to serve on the Abington Memorial Hospital Women’s Board., she was a faithful member of Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown; serving for well over 37 years as a member of the Deaconess Board. She was a member of the American Baptist Women’s Ministry, President of the Scholarship and Endowment Ministry and the founder of the Martin Luther King Jr., Luncheon and Fashion Show.

She leaves to cherish her memory, the love of her life, her faithful husband of over 64 years, Alfred Dennis, her sister-in-laws, Beauty M. Daniels, Helena Flipping and Winona Johnson; four beautiful daughters, Paulette Dennis, Pamela Dennis, Portia Mason (Kevin) and Penelope Camp (Charles),four grand-daughters, Asia Mason Favors (Herman), Zipporah Head, Morgan Dennis and Charlee Camp; her one and only grandson, Jordan Braxton, two great-grand-daughters, Ryann and Mason; one step grand-daughter Chelsea Camp, three step great grand children, Jahmal, Rikki and Fate; an entire community and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Malessia A. Dennis Scholarship Fund at Salem Baptist Church of Roslyn at 2800 Woodland Road, Rosyln, PA 19001. A memorial TBA at a later date.