Dorothy Austin Stroud

Mrs. Dorothy Austin Stroud, 97, passed away Sunday February 11, 2018.

Dorothy was born March 14, 1920 in Watonga, Oklahoma to Moses and Ella Austin. She attended Dunbar High School, and went on the attend Langston University where she met and married the love of her life William Edward Stroud. Dorothy moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she became a dental hygienist and was a member of the St. Stephen’s Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. John W. Williams. She was very active in her church and was a member of the Thousand Dollar Club.

Dorothy was a community leader, and the President of the Sheraton Estates Neighborhood Association for 30 years. She served on the boards of Freedom Inc., Swope Community Builders, Brush Creek Community Partners, Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance, The Black Caucus, and the Blue Hills Neighborhood Association. Dorothy was a life member of the NAACP, and a Founding member of the Carousels Inc. She was influential in electing State Representatives and Mayors. Dorothy received countless accolades and awards for her tireless community service.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Moses and Ella Austin, her husband William E. Stroud; sisters Lyndola (Ray) Stafford, Hazel (Oscar) Berry, Elizabeth (Ed) Lewis; brothers Raymond Austin and Willis Austin, nieces Opal Ellis, Shirley (Arthur Lee) Lowden and nephew Orlo Berry.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Rita (Jarrett) Maupin; granddaughter Rachel (Michael) Kevins; grandson William E. Brooks; step-grandchildren Marissa Maupin and Jarrett B Maupin Jr. great grandsons Phoenix and Kairo Kevins and a host of loving nieces and nephews, relatives, and countless friends who knew and loved her well.