Robert Stephens Dorton

Robert Stephens Dorton Jr., age 63, of Franklin, KY formerly of Beaverdam, VA, entered into heaven on Saturday, August 10th, 2024 at 10:53 PM at the Hospice House of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green, KY. 

Visitation will be held at Riverside Baptist Church in Beaverdam, VA on Saturday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. 

Stephen was born on August 29, 1960 in Norton, VA to the late Robert Stephens Dorton, Sr. and Phyllis Jean (Maggard) Dorton, who survives. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Wes Dorton. 

In addition to being survived by his mother, he is also survived by his loving wife of over 40 years, Marcina (Richmond) Dorton; one daughter, Brittany Dorton, of Franklin, KY; one son, Jared Dorton (Hannah) of Franklin, KY; and a sister, Sherrie Johnson (Scott) of Leawood, KS, along with several nieces and nephews. 

As a teenager serving at Camp Bethel in Wise, VA, Stephen was called into the ministry. When a missionary from Alaska asked the question “Why go so far?” Stephen felt the call of the Lord to go so far because Christ died for him. He graduated from Liberty University in 1982 with a degree in Christian Ministries and a double minor in Theology and Coaching. In 1999 he graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies.“Pastor Steve” as he was lovingly known by many, was the former Pastor at Riverside Baptist Church, in Beaverdam, VA where he faithfully served for over 23 years. Stephen also planted Fellowship Baptist Church in Powhatan, VA, where he served as Pastor for over 11 years. Stephen faithfully ran the race, kept the faith and fought the good fight. He devoted his life to prayer and the ministry of God’s Word. His life and legacy were proclaimed from a Hospice bed with labored breath, “God is good! God is good! God is good!” 

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Riverside Baptist Church, 20057 Teman Rd. Beaverdam, VA 23015.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory in Franklin, KY and Covenant Funeral Service in Fredericksburg, VA. The website is www.gilbertfhonline.com. The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home and & Crematory, Inc. The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844.