Dorothy "Dottie" Southall, 106 passed away on Wednesday in Norfolk. She was born in Whaleyville, VA on September 5, 1918, to the late Lucile and Iola Parker, two years before women gained the right to vote and two months before the end of World War I.

Shortly after, she moved to Pennsylvania, where her father found work. This was during the First Great Migration, when African Americans in the south traveled west and north for better opportunities.

Dorothy's values and her generous and loving nature were modeled and encouraged by her loving parents. A devoted family member, she had the gift of hospitality and shared it enjoying cooking for family and friends, celebrating family graduations and the birth of great-nieces and nephews.

In 1959, as the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum, she began her proudest career accomplishment as a licensed practical nurse at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City, where she would work for 20 years. She moved back to Virginia in the late 1980's and lived on her own in a high-rise apartment building, still managing her affairs until she was 103. Dorothy was a member of Philippians Church and received a Certificate of Baptism from Philippians Church dated July 3, 1994. She is survived by her great-nieces Voncier Kelly and Remedeas Weekes and many other extended family members. A grand sense of humor, Dorothy could keep your laughing with quick-witted one-liners and touched many hearts. She will be greatly missed.

A service will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday at October 22, 2024 at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, where viewing will be at 10:00 AM.. Burial will follow the service at Roosevelt Memorial Park. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pretlowandsons.com .

You can join the service livestream at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at: https://www.facebook.com/PretlowandSons