Obituary of Dorothy Ann Dobson

ROCHESTER, NY – November 19, 2023 Mrs. Dorothy Ann Pryor Dobson was born May 10, 1934 in Chester, Virginia. She was the 3rd child of five children born to the late Julia Morton Pryor and Alfred Pryor. At an early age, Dorothy demonstrated a penchant for leadership, human rights, and community service, as evidenced by her participation in numerous academic, church, and civic organizations throughout her elementary and high school years. After graduating high school, she enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College (now State University), where she met a fellow student, who became her future husband, James Allen Dobson. While a student at A&T, she was a member of various organizations, including the Hobby Club, Young Women’s Christian Association, the Yearbook staff and the Virginia Club. After both graduating College in 1957, she with a BA in Sociology, Dorothy moved to Rochester, New York to marry the great love of her life. She immediately became involved in the Rochester community. Dorothy began her professional career at the Rochester Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children, Rochester Psychiatric Center, and was later hired as a Social Worker at the Monroe County Department of Social Services, from where she retired after 31+ years of dedicated and compassionate service. She was a charter member of the Rochester Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., The Office of Black Ministries (Catholic Diocese of Rochester), the Gospel Choir at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and The American Association of Retired Persons, Greater Rochester Chapter #4598-the first predominately, African American chapter in Upstate New York. She was active in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), at Nazareth Academy and Ellwanger and Barry School #24 in the Rochester City School District. At School #24, she was one of the founders of the Human Rights Committee. This committee was responsible for many things, such as instituting School 24’s first lunch program, that primarily addressed the needs of students In marginalized spaces who were part of the busing program. Prior to the launch of this program, there was not a formalized location that would accommodate students who were transported to school outside of the school’s neighborhood. She was a past board member of the Girls Scouts USA-Genesee Valley Chapter, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), United Way of Rochester, Regional Council of the Aging (now Life Span), Catholic Charities, and IC Housing Development Fund, Inc. She was also asked to help develop what is now known as the Monroe County Affirmative Action Committee. Mrs. Dobson was also a former Girl Scout Leader, room mother at her children’s schools, as well as, a group leader with the Jack and Jill of America, Inc., the Bridgettes (the first African-American Bridge Club in Rochester, NY). After the death of her husband in 1997, she was asked to join the Board of Directors of the IC Housing Development Fund Company, Inc., a non-profit corporation, co-founded by her husband. The Board provided oversight of Urban Park Apartments (later re-named as James A. Dobson Apartments), a 254 low–moderate income housing complex in the Southwest area in Rochester, New York. Shortly after joining the board, she was asked to step down and become the Managing Director of the complex to navigate it back to its formidable corporate capacity (as it began to decline after the death of Mr. Dobson). She served in that role for seven years, after which she made a recommendation to the Board of Directors to sell the complex. After months of negotiations between Mrs. Dobson, the board and the new owners, the complex was sold. At Mrs. Dobson’s recommendation and because of her apt negotiation skills, approximately one million dollars, proceeds from the sale, were allocated to six Historically Black Universities and three Rochester community-based organizations to advance their respective public housing programs. The new owners of the housing complex honored the community service contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Dobson in 2007, by donating $100,000 in their name to their alma mater, the North Carolina A&T State University. The University matched the donation through the endowment of a scholarship entitled-The James A. Dobson and Dorothy A. Pryor Dobson Endowed Scholarship, funded in the amount of $200,000. It was set up for 1st year students that were attending North Carolina A&T State University, from Rochester, New York. The scholarships are awarded annually. Because of Mrs. Dobson's stellar contributions, the North Carolina A&T State University honored her work with the 2017 Human Rights Medal. “The award is given annually by North Carolina A&T to recognize individuals who have endeavored to correct social injustice and have significantly contributed to the betterment of the world.” It is the University’s highest honor. Dorothy was a Christian who loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was a faithful daughter to her widowed mother, until her mother’s death in 1993. Until his death in 1997, Dorothy loved and supported her husband with all her heart. She was a devoted and loving mother to her three daughters and numerous surrogate children, who lovingly and respectfully refer to her as “Mommy, Mother Dobson, Momma D, Aunt Dot and Ms. D”. She passed away on November 19, 2023. Mrs. Dobson lived to the fulfillment of 89 ½ years, with a lifetime of lifting, loving, teaching, and supporting women, men, and children in her personal and professional life. Until her death, Dorothy continued to give of herself to her family, her church, her community and believed that God had much more work for her to do. She was the epitome of a virtuous woman. Let the work Dorothy has done, speak for her. She is predeceased by; her husband, James A. Dobson; and her three brothers. She is survived by; 3 daughters, Jacquelyn Dobson, Dr. Kimberley Dobson, and Gina M. Dobson; 1 sister, Jean Pryor, other relatives, church family and friends. Friends may call Thursday, November 30 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget's Catholic Church, 445 Frederick Douglass Street, Rochester, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, NY. Her children rise up and call her blessed;
     her husband also, and he praises her:
   “Many women have done excellently,
     but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31: 28-29