Dorothy Lee Powell lived to celebrate her 94th birthday. She was born on January 17, 1927. She departed this life on Tuesday night, February 2, 2021 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Ms. Dorothy was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to her late parents, Dorothy Lee Howell and James Powell. She was known as ” Momma ” to her children, “Momma Dot” to her grandchildren and close family and friends. “Aunt Dot”, to her nieces and nephews, and “Dot” and “Ms. Dorothy” to many others she met.
Ms. Dorothy was a soft spoken, courageous, fearless woman. Her patience was her virtue. Many who have met her tended to say about Ms. Dorothy, “To know her, was to love her. ” She had a “caring and loving ” spirit. She was a devoted sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. If ever you needed anything, she made sure you got it! She provided for herself and her family very well; whether it was a car, house or their college tuition. She provided it. Her keen wisdom and financial support will be appreciated by her family and friends, for years to come.
Ms. Dorothy’s highest level of formative education was the 9th grade, in the Washington, DC. Public Schools System. She later completed several college level continuing education classes at George Washington University, in Washington, DC.
She retired after 33 years of civil service from the Department of Navy, at the Navy Yard, in Washington, DC. as an Electronic Technician. Throughout her career, she earned professional achievements for her exemplary work. When she was younger, she always dreamed of living in Italy and she later did; when she accepted a foreign work assignment, in Naples Italy where she lived for several years.
Ms. Dorothy really loved God. She would often call on the Savior Jesus, throughout the day, in her later days. She recited the Lord’s Prayer; every night. And she constantly would end her prayer with requests for her health and her family needs. She would mention the name of each of her children, individually and pray for their health and protection.
Infact, one of her favorite statements was “If you take the first step, God will do the rest for you.” Throughout her life, she exemplified all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, “kindness”, “self- control”, “power” and “love”.
In her younger years, Ms. Dorothy was a member of Purity Baptist Church, in NE Washington, DC. There she was baptized and enjoyed singing in the choir. She later enjoyed attending the Imani Temple Catholic Church, in SE Washington, DC and later in her life, she attended St. Bernadine of Siena Catholic Church, in Suitland, Maryland. Ms. Dorothy enjoyed participating in the church services and community- based programs, such as, the church food bank.
During the 1950s and 60s, she was a part of the Black professional socialites, in Washington, DC. She attended many formal social events hosted by Washington, DC ‘s Black judges, lawyers, school superintendents and congress people. She was a member of the classy women’s social club, known as the “Lucky Seven Women’s Club”, founded in the Washington, DC. area. In her younger years, she enjoyed a modeling career in New York.
She enjoyed playing card games and dominoes. In her later years, she loved to spend her time sewing, painting ,stained glass artistry, dancing and traveling. During the summer, she enjoyed spending time at the beach and going to the mountains with her family.
Ms. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Ms. Dorothy Howell and Mr. James Powell, her two sisters: Ms. Hattie Howell and Ms. Dorothy Reese as well as her second daughter, Ms. Barbara Johnson.
She leaves to carry on her legacy, her first daughter and son in law, Mrs. Evonne and Mr. Vincent Stewart, and three grandchildren, Ms. Monique Powell, Ms. Nicole Tillett and Ms. Mickel Stewart; two grandchildren from the late Ms. Barbara Johnson, Ms. Charmagne Bowman and Mr. De’Shon Johnson; her son, Mr. John Frederick, and four grandchildren, Ms. Keisha Frederick, Ms. Dominique Frederick, Mr. Angelo Frederick and Ms. Ebony Frederick; and her third and youngest daughter, Dr. Tonya Fridy. Ms. Dorothy is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great grandchildren. In addition, she leaves a host of family members and friends, whom she received so much kindness and love from throughout her lifetime.
Family and friends will unite on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 12:00pm until the time of service, 12:15pm, at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home 2294 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD 20601. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD.
I would like to thank our Aunt Tonya Fridy for putting together a wonderful home going service for our beloved, “Momma Dot.” She looked so beautiful and resting in peace. It was a joyous occasion to see family near and far. I LOVE everyone in our family no matter the ups and downs, Family first!!!! Let’s carry on the legacy of Momma’s love. OUR GRANDMA WAS THE BEST!!!
Your love is forever shining in our hearts love you Momma Dot.
I Love you Momma Dot you are the most loving grandma and giving person Ive known. I have all happy memories of us and my family with you. Rest in peace. You’re my inspiration you gave me empowering learning experience I love you and miss you. Your granddaughter Monique Powell and family.
To Charmagne and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know without a doubt, how much she meant to you. Though she is not physically here, I hope you find peace in knowing that her 94 years on earth was well lived. Her legacy and love will continue through you guys. May she Rest in Heavenly Peace.
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
-2 Corinthians 5:8
You were the best great gandma. You always let me and Chase play in your pool and always allowed us to come over. You would talk to us about how our day was and what we were doing. I will miss you so much and your kind ways. Thank you for loving me from day one and coming to see me everyday when I was in the NICU due to being a preemie. Love so much!!!
Great grandma, I will miss you a lot. I will miss our good times together. Love you forever.
I am home in heaven, dear ones; oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over , every restless tossing passed ; I am now at peace forever, safely home in heaven at last. Did you ever wonder I so calmly trod the valley of the shade? Oh! But Jesus’ love illumined every dark and fearful glade. And he came himself to meet me in that way so hard to tread ; and with Jesus’ arm to lean on, could I have one doubt or dread ? Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth’s shadows , pray to trust our father’s will. There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand; do it now , while life remaineth – you shall rest in Jesus’s land . When that work is all completed, he will gently call you home ; oh , the rapture of that meeting, oh , the joy to see you come !
Love you mom your daughter.
My dearest Mommy dot,Thank you for being the fun loving, kind-hearted, tell it like it is grandmother. I loved and learned so much from you. I especially want to thank you for giving birth to my mother (your first born Evonne) for without her I would not exist. I will miss your smile,laughter,sarcasm,knack for style,and sense of humor. I thank God, that God is and is always in control,and saw fit to bring you home to glory when he chose to. We your offspring will celebrate you in a respectable manner that you would be proud of and deserve. We will see each other again,give my grand dad John and aunt Barbara a hug and a kiss. Until we chat again in my dreams Mommy Dot, see soon.Love you forever.
Sincerely,
Nicole.
Dearest Grandma, you were the best human being besides my mother in this world to me. I love you beyond measure. Thank you for taking in DeShon and I after our mother died and raising us as your own. Your unconditional love is/was very much appreciated. I have thanked GOD for you and your love over and again. You are in the best place right now, in Heaven, right beside your own mother and daughter. You have Barbara back! No one realizes how much you hurt after her departure besides DeShon and I. Just as much as we needed to be with you, you needed us as well. You have shown me how to be a great mother, wife, friend, etc. You’ve also taught me how to survive and be strong for those that I love. We had many, many good times and memories which are priceless. I am glad that I gave you your flowers while you were here. Thank you for acknowledging that I was always there for you. I appreciated that you recognized and saw that for yourself—priceless. Anthony and our three sons love you, tremendously. This celebration will not be the full extent of the person you were so the family will be having a memorial part II with all the bells and whistles you so rightfully deserve. Love you, My Queen!!! We will see each other again on the other side. Welcome me in when it is my time. You WILL be celebrated each day in this household. I feel lucky to have two amazing angels watching over me and my family.
Dearest Grandma, you were the best human being besides my mother in this world to me. I love you beyond measure. Thank you for taking in DeShon and I after our mother died and raising us as your own. Your unconditional love is/was very much appreciated. I have thanked GOD for you and your love over and again. You are in the best place right now, in Heaven, right beside your own mother and daughter. You have Barbara back! No one realizes how much you hurt after her departure besides DeShon and I. Just as much as we needed to be with you, you needed us as well. You have shown me how to be a great mother, wife, friend, etc. You’ve also taught me how to survive and be strong for those that I love. We had many, many good times and memories which are priceless. I am glad that I gave you your flowers while you were here. Thank you for acknowledging that I was always there for you. I appreciated that you recognized and saw that for yourself—priceless. Anthony and our three sons love you, tremendously. This celebration will not be the full extent of the person you were so the family will be having a memorial part II with all the bells and whistles you so rightfully deserve. Love you, My Queen!!! We will see each other again on the other side. Welcome me in when it is my time. You WILL be celebrated each day in this household. I feel lucky to have two amazing angels watching over me and my family.
My grandmother Dorothy Powell would like you to know that she now has a new Change of Address
Dear Family and Friends,
I want to let you know that I have moved. I received a call from God, the Chief Architect on February 2, 2021, who informed me that my new home is ready, and I could immediately move in.
You all know that I have been sending up my timber, packing up and getting ready to go, but there were some minor nishing touches of the timber where only the Chief Carpenter Jesus Christ could do.
Well, my home is nish. There is a beautiful pearly gate just o a scenic celestial shore. Of course, the streets are paved with gold and every day is Sabbath here. I have visited many places before my new home was prepared and no other can compare. There is peace, joy and happiness here with no more pain and suering. No strife or discontent. There is only sweet serenity everywhere. I could go on about my new home, but I must go and get tted for my new wings.
My New Address is:
Heavenly Circle
God’s Town, Heaven
P.S. I don’t have a telephone yet, but just call God. If you don’t have the
number, he is listed in the Good Book on every page.
Thank you for blessing me with my Dad
I Love you MamaDot
Dominique
Dear Momma Dot, Thank you for allowing me into your heart. For 20 years you have shown me joy and laughter whenever we were in each others company. I promised you that I would always keep a smile on your face by presenting you with three beautiful sons who adored you over the years and like myself are saddened to see you leave. Keep watching over us and we will continue to make you proud.
Love you always, Your Grandson Anthony