Obituary: Dorothy Anna Williams, matriarch and former federal employee, dies at 95

From Special to the Afro, Afro

Dorothy Anna Williams, known as “The Queen” to those who loved her, was the epitome of a true lady and devoted family matriarch. Her unmatched graciousness endeared her to everyone she met, and her warm, pleasant personality ensured a lasting impression. Cherished by many and respected by all, Dorothy’s incredible charm and zest for life inspired those around her.

Dorothy A. Bolden was born on Jan. 20, 1930, in Annapolis, Md., to John and Henrietta Bolden. She was their youngest child and the only daughter, with an older brother, Frank, who has since died. Due to her father’s service in the Navy, Dorothy lived in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania during her childhood. At 16, she moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., with her parents to help care for her brother’s two children.

While living in Brooklyn, Dorothy met her husband, Edgar Fitzroy Williams. They married in Fort Greene on Dec. 3, 1949, and remained together for 61 years until his death in June 2011. Together, they had three daughters, whom she insisted must have names that begin with the letter “D”: Denise, Doreen, and Diane. Eventually, the family moved to Queens.

While in New York, Dorothy worked for the federal government in the Department of Labor as a wage and hour specialist for 25 years before retiring in October 1980 at the age of 50. After her retirement, Dorothy took the opportunity to visit her daughters and grandsons, often traveling to Detroit or Baltimore for extended periods. 

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