Delores (Adams) Appleby was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 24, 1957 to Sherman and Faynell Adams. She was the 7th of 11 children, a quiet, loving soul in a boisterous household. She attended St. Carthage Elementary and Harvard Elementary before receiving her high school diploma from Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy High School, a selective-enrollment school on Chicago’s south side where she was a cheerleader and a member of the track team. Delores moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1977 furthering her education at The Ohio State University. A couple years later, she met the love of her life, Nathan Appleby, Sr., an engineering student at Columbus Technical Institute.
Married on July 18, 1981, Delores and Nathan raised their four children and became parental figures to numerous people who gravitated to their loving nature. Delores was committed to her family and friends and supported them through all of life’s trials and triumphs. She leaves behind some special childhood friends who continued to keep in touch through the years. Delores created life-long friendships through her work as a Food Service Manager at Canteen Corporation and Insurance Claims Manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield. She was also blessed to serve her community through her employment as a Human Resources Manager at Maryhaven and the Columbus City Schools Board of Education.
Affectionately known as “Dee”, Delores was always happy and upbeat and a true joy to be around. She was always there to help others and to share a bible study, scripture or just a word of encouragement when needed. She was always committed to and active in her church. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in her teenage years at the Ogden Avenue Church of Christ in Chicago. Upon moving to Ohio she served and worshipped at Genessee Avenue Church of Christ and Family Fellowship Church of Christ and was embraced by the leadership at Hilliard Church of Christ near her home in Dublin.
Delores is survived by her husband, Nathan L. Applebly Sr.; son, David (Jessica) Carter; daughter, LaDwyna (Tony) Evans; son, Nathan Appleby, Jr.; daughter, Keona Appleby; sister, Mary Francis Vance; brother, Dr. ZSherman (Katie) Adams; sister, Sharon (Alfred) Smith; brother, Steven Adams; grandchildren, Briana Evans, Cailyn Evans, Xavier Evans, David Carter Jr., Jayden Carter, Taylor Appleby, Dylan Carter, and Jace Carter.
She has been welcomed home by her parents, Sherman and Faynell Adams; grandson, Khalil Evans; brother, John Lee Weathersby; brother, Robert Adams; sister, Ardell Adams; sister, Annette Adams; sister, Janet Adams; sister Patricia Adams.
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