Dora L. McFadden

Dora L. McFadden, age 94, of 47 Edgehill Drive, Lancaster, PA, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Death was due to natural causes. Born in South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Fennel and Mary Johnson. She was the wife of the late Ernest E. McFadden, Sr. They had been married 61 years at the time of his death in 2009. The couple moved to Lancaster, PA seventy (70) years ago. She was a lifelong homemaker who focused on her family and was fondly called “Momma” by her eight biological children. Her Impact was far more reaching as her Chester Street home was created as a loving place of safety and comfort welcoming a greater number of family, both immediate and extended, as well as friends and neighbors for whom she provided babysitting services or just a good home cooked meal and place to gather or sleep. That same environment was the second home to all of her grandchildren who affectionately knew her as “Nanny.” Mrs. McFadden was a member in good standing of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and a past member of the Stewardess Board, Missionary Board, Jean Polite and Mary Boots Food Bank and many other church organizations and committees. Best known for her joy of cooking, Mrs. McFadden along with her sister-in-law, Eloise McFadden, served a multitude of the church and its visitors through the Bethel Church Kitchen and Food Ministry. She served as a longtime Sister of the Order of the Eastern Star, Silvery Moon Chapter No. 56 and Daughter of the Imperial Court an Auxiliary of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Inc. in the Oasis of Harrisburg, in the Valley of Pennsylvania. Left to treasure her memory are her five daughters: Mary Ballentine, Lethea A., wife of Cornell Monroe; Barbara J. Enty; Dorothy A., wife of Jesse Langley, all of Lancaster, Betty Daniels, wife of Forrest Daniels, of Georgia; three sons: Morris E, husband of Cheryl McFadden; Ernest E, Jr., husband of Daisy McFadden; Danny M. McFadden, all of Lancaster; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; One sister, Eula M. Johnson, of South Carolina; One brother, John Johnson, of Lancaster and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary B. Palmer; a brother, Robert Johnson; and a grandson, Anthony “Amp” McFadden. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Dora’s Life Celebration “Home Going Service” at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 450 E. Strawberry St., Church Town of Lancaster, PA 17602 on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Edward M. Bailey officiating. Interment will be at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. There will be a viewing for the public on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. and a second viewing on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 9 a.m. at Bethel AME Church. Anyone inquiring about flowers please contact the family or the funeral home at The Groffs Family Funeral Home, 528 W. Orange Street Lancaster, PA 17603.