Dolly Jane Washington

and Mamie Washington, May 9, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She was a “daddy’s girl”. Her siblings Alma Parker nee Bivens, Homer

Bivens, Charlie Washington, William L. Washington, Clyde

Washington, Victoria Kemper nee Washington, Gloria Schuler nee

Washington preceded her in death. She is survived by her 102-year-old

sister, Ruth Wilson nee Bivens (Cinnaminson, New Jersey) and a host of

cousins, nieces, nephews, Zeta sorors and friends. Dolly Washington

departed this life May 19, 2023.

At an early age while attending her mother’s church, Haven United

Methodist Church, she accepted Christ as her Saviour. Dolly was a

bright and inquisitive child who showed exceptional talent in

mathematics. She was educated in the Philadelphia public school system

from which she completed her studies at Simon Gratz High School in

1953. In the Fall she enrolled in Maryland State College as a Math

major. The HBCU would later be renamed The University of Maryland

Eastern Shore. The trajectory of her college career would change when

she had to leave school to care for her mother who suffered a stroke. It

was during this difficult period she discovered her passion for teaching

and counseling.

Following her mother’s recovery, she returned to school and completed

her degree in Mathematics in 1968. She went on to earn her master’s

degree in education from Antioch University in Illinois. Earlier in her

collegiate career she was recruited by the U.S. government for a

“project” that utilized the mathematical talents of Black women who

were math majors at HBCUs. She declined their offer to pursue her

passion in teaching and counseling children in her community. We

would all later learn the “project” was the gathering of these talented

women to assist in the space race. They became the hidden figures we

never knew. But Dolly chose to teach in her community for over forty

years. Her passion for teaching led her to the discovery of her second

passion, world travel. She visited a number of countries that include

Senegal, France, England, Italy, Spain, Jamaica, Brazil, Canada and the

Bahamas.

Though she never married or had children of her own. She dedicated her

to life to mentoring and supporting the educational aspirations of her

nieces and nephews. She drove back and forth to Penn State and Cheney

University in Pennsylvania, Northwood Institute in Michigan and

Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va. transporting her nieces and

nephews to and from their respective colleges. After retiring from The

Philadelphia School Board, she assisted Civil rights leader and New

York based community organizer Bob Law in the creation of the

Philadelphia Saturday Academy.

Dolly later relocated to Memphis, Tn where she resided for 30+ years.

She served her beloved Zeta Phi Beta Sorority as the First Anti and

Basileus. Soror Washington loved to identify and shape the new leaders

of Zeta Phi Beta.

As a part of serving her community, she went on to a second career as a

tax pro with H&R Block. Her skill and mathematics never wane as she

was able to recreate a new profession as a tax professional where she

enjoyed celebrity status among her clients. Her favorite memories

included hoagie making, crabbing out of her grandmother’s window in

Maryland and visiting the Eastern shores.

Not only was she mentoring and helping shape the future generations of

her nieces and nephews whom she referred to as her children, grands,

and great-grandchildren which she loved all dearly, her generosity and

dedication to the betterment of her people was extended to all within the

community. Dolly has helped lay the blueprint for success of many by

playing such a pivotal role, including acting as a maternal figure. Dolly’s

continuous support, words of wisdom, encouragement,

straightforwardness, bluntness but most importantly hands-on

involvement has helped many to open doors of opportunities and access

to places one may have thought to be beyond their reach. Dolly was

truly loved and admired by her family and friends. She was truly a

treasure. Dolly had such style, flair and elegance wrapped into one. She

had a sense of humor that contributed to many cherished memories.

Experience as a world traveler made her the perfect community liaison

between the Muslim and the Christian community. She was a frequent

attender of all Mosque, 55, of the Nation of Islam activities. As well as

serving as the annual Science Fair Judge at the Pleasant View Islamic

Elementary School. She was very comfortable interviewing children to

defend their science projects from Bosnia to Bangladesh. We celebrate

this true renaissance woman and thank God for her phenomenal life.

Please join us in saying Ciao till next time, her customary greeting.

May God be pleased with you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brantleyfuneral.com for the Washington family.