Dorothy Dunn Stewart Watts

Dorothy Dunn Stewart Watts was born July 9, 1930 in Union, South Carolina. She was the youngest of sixteen children born to William and Mary Etta Dunn. She departed this life on January 6, 2020.

Dorothy was educated in the Union County public school system and graduated from Sims High School in June 1947. Thereafter, she received her Cosmetologist License and was employed as a Cosmetologist at Johnson's Mortuary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She then married Albert Stewart (first husband), and they began their family. Moving back to Union, South Carolina, she and her husband joined Corinth Baptist Church and became active members. She was a member of the Senior Usher Board, Senior Choir, Missionary Society, Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher.

Once all of their children were actively in school, Dorothy continued working on her career, her experiences began as a Teachers’ Aide and Nurses’ Aide for the Head Start Program for children during the summer. From June 1968-1971 she was employed with the Office of Economic Opportunity (Outreach Work, Information and Referral) Union, South Carolina.

Later she became employed with the Department of Social Services, Spartanburg, South Carolina and was appointed the Center Director for the Office of Economic Opportunity.

Dorothy had a passion for education and love for children. While working on her BA. in Early Child Development she worked part-time as a Teacher's Aide at Extended Day Care Program Fairlington School in Arlington, Virginia and Glebe Baptist Church also in Arlington, Virginia.

She retired as a Kindergarten Teacher and Program Director at Fairlington Child Development Center, Arlington, Virginia. Dorothy's continued education also included Certificate in National Affiliation for Literary Advance Tutor, Certificates in Child Care and Child Development, Budgeting and Home Economics. Office of Economic Opportunity Training Workshop, Atlanta University, and La-Mae Beauty College in Winston-Salem, NC.

Her activities, awards and accomplishments included: President of Parents and Teachers Association, Boy Scouts of America Counselor, Volunteer Senior Citizens Club, winner of Shrine Beauty Pageant in Union, South Carolina, and former member of Alexandria Social Service Advisory Board. She received various recognition's of "Appreciation and Faithful Service" as an instructor in Vacation Bible School. She was also presented with awards of "Dedicated Service" and "Outstanding Job" as Program Director with South Fairlington Child Development Center.

Dorothy met her second husband, Carroll W. Watts of 21 years and moved to Columbia, South Carolina until his death in November 2013.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll W. Watts; two sons, Donald Stewart and Alton Stewart; six sisters, Clara E. Dunn, Jeanette Garnette, Minnie Garnette, Ruthie Mae Palmer, Bessie H. Moore, and Frances Steele; Six brothers, Douglas Dunn, Ernest Dunn, Woodrow Dunn, Henry Dunn, Robert Dunn and Walter L. Arthur.

She is survived by one sister, Gracie Ganssney of Brooklyn, NY; one daughter, Princella (Matthew) Stewart-McCants of Blythewood, SC; one son, Albert (Dena) Stewart, Jr. of Waldorf, MD; two step daughters, Judy Hinton of Washington, DC and Joane Watts of Los Angeles, California; five grandchildren, Angel L. Ray, Candi E. (Raymond) Ray, Tomeka Gibson, Sebastian Thompson, Zackery (Jadyn) Stewart, Audry Stewart and step-grandsons, William Hinton and Darron Bryan; Seven great grandchildren, China Warner, Stormee Ray, Suni Ray, Skyler Ray, Rayoni Gilliam, Cam'Ron Stewart and D'Varius Joyner; daughter-in-law, Martha Stewart; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loving relatives and friends.

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