Ms. Dorothy Cain was born on May 16, 1924 in Abbeville, Mississippi to the late Oscar and Lillian Thompson. She was converted at an early age and joined East St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church in Abbeville, Mississippi and later joined New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee where she was a faithful member. Her service at New Zion was her greatest passion. She served as Sunday school teacher, trustee, church secretary, president of the mother board, co-worker of the outreach ministry, and choir member.

She graduated from Oxford Training School where she developed a love for sewing, which she continued throughout her life. Later she became a licensed Beautician in Chicago, Illinois and Memphis, Tennessee until retirement. She also enjoyed sharing with the needy, visiting the sick and shut-in, and in-spiring children and young adults earning her the name of "Mother Cain" in the church and community. She was a patriarch of the family, who loved to exert her Biblical knowledge and life skills throughout the family.