Dorothy Frances Balenger was born on August 11, 1927 to the union of Russell T. and Dorothy (nee: Adams) Balenger in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dorothy received her formal education in the Milwaukee Public School system in Milwaukee, WI; Cincinnati Public School System in Cincinnati, Ohio; and the St. Paul Public School System in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dorothy accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and was united with St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she sang along with her mother in the church choir.
Dorothy F. Balenger was united in holy matrimony with Gaston Stanley on January 26, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI. Their union was blessed with three children.
She was employed by Inland Container as a shipping clerk for 30 years. In her leisure, she enjoyed reading, dancing, cooking dessert foods at home; horse back riding; playing piano, singing in the church choir, and loving on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy was a member of the Women’s Auxillary of the Esquire Social Club and a member of the Milwaukee Old Timers.
Dorothy F. Balenger Stanley departed this life on May 22, 2020. She was preceded in death by her father, Russell Balenger; mother, Dorothy M. Balenger; husband Gaston Stanley; youngest daughter, Cecelia D. Stanley Khalil; and granddaughter, Shearida “Babydoll” Stanley.
“Grandma Chief,” as she was known to many of the children in her tribe, leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Regina GS (Willie) Johnson; son, Gaston L. Stanley; brother, Russell T. Balenger II; and; fourteen grandchildren, Dominique D. Devereaux, Qunicy J. Davis, Lawrence Lasciers, Sherell Stanley, Donta Stanley, Christal (Garett) Eversley, Reginal Stanley, Erika Stanley, Gastone Stanley, Taj (Christal) Stanley, Willie (Tamika) Wilsantis, Michael (April), Richard A. Johnson, Vanessa (Anthony) Johnson; nineteen great grandchildren, Denver (William) Dobay, Landon Stanley, Kaliha Davis, Isabella Davis, Emora Davis, Prince Davis, Taj Stanley, Jr., Jala Gray Stanley, Cecelia Stanley, Ishmale Stanley, Kamal Stanley, Avery Johnson, Grace Johnson, Emitt Johnson, Natalie Johnson, Anthony Wesley Jr., Ace Wesley, Kristofor Lascreis, and Mahogony Lascreis; five great great grandchildren, Landon Stanley, Maya Dobay, Memphis Dobay, Donavan Johnson, and Kessidy Lasereis; nephews, Russell T. Balenger III and Rashidi Balenger; niece Rasaha Balenger Singleton; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
