Duty Calls Dorethia Livsey Again

Twenty years later Dorethia Livsey takes the oath again to serve as Jury Commissioner of Gwinnett County. This dynamic woman was initially appointed by Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Stark to serve six years as the first Black Jury Commissioner in 1990-1996.

Now, February, 03, 2010, duty called on her as she was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Clarke to serve again in the same capacity. Those in the county who know her, have heard her say numerous times," I am honored, yet humbled to serve".

Simultaneously, she has served for 20 years as Co-Chairperson of the Gwinnett County Human Relation Commission and twelve years on the Gwinnett County Human Resource Commission. She has always had a civic heart and a conscious soul about the county in which she lives.

Mrs. Livsey was reared and educated in Buford, Georgia and attended Spelman College, as well as, Chicago Teacher College in Chicago, IL.. She has been married to Thomas Livsey for fifty-four years. They have been entrepreneurs in Gwinnett County for over forty years, as owner of the Promised Land Center. They have five children and five grandchildren.

At New Bethel A.M.E., she has served twenty years as Steward Pro-Tem, eighteen years as Christian Education Director. She has taught Sunday school, sang in the choir for forty-two years, been president of the Laity for twelve years, and a news reporter for her church, as well as, her church conference for 24 years, which allowed her to travel extensively throughout the nation. With all of her experiences, makes her a well sought after motivational speaker. Time and space will not permit to name the numerous accomplishments and accolades that she has received. "To God be the Glory", reveals, Mrs. Livsey

As a matter of fact, on December 10, 2010, with the help of her husband Thomas Livsey, and her son Tom Livsey, news editor of Topix News and OurTown Media, along with the Andersons, was successful in renaming the first county school in the Promised Land Community from Snell Elementary to Anderson Livsey Elementary School. The name is to honor the forefathers of both the Anderson and Livsey families respectively. The enormous school will open in August 2010.

 Mrs. Livsey, reminds others of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, "Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love".

So, she challenge the next generation to focus their energies to fill voids that are present in today's society. She adds,"Believe it or not there are a few hours that everyone can find to do good in their communities".