Dorothy L. Parker

Our beloved Dorothy Louise Parker, daughter of the late Margaret Golden and Preston James Parker, was born July 25, 1941 in Fauquier County, Virginia. She was the second of seven children, four boys and three girls. She departed from this life on January 12, 2023, at the family home in Washington, DC.
Dorothy lived in Paris, Virginia until the age of seven. In 1948, she moved with her family to Washington, DC. She attended District of Columbia Public Schools until she graduated from Cardozo Senior High School. Upon graduation, she immediately went to nursing school and successfully matriculated to become an LPN. After completing nursing school, she began working at the Washington Hospital Center treating burn victims on the burn unit for several years. Eventually Dr. Donald Sewell persuaded her to leave the hospital and join his private obstetrics and gynecology practice on Quincy Street in Northwest, Washington, DC in 1967. Dorothy continued to work with Dr. Sewell for 35 years until her retirement in May 2002.
Dorothy was a very unselfish and caring person, always willing to lend a helping hand. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, and gardening. She was a family-oriented person that always looked forward to and enjoyed visits with family, whether local or out of town. She also loved entertaining and welcoming everyone. Dorothy enjoyed cooking and made sure no one left her home with an empty stomach.
Dorothy will be remembered as very caring and compassionate. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and was very devoted to her family. She was an extraordinary confidant and friend who was always ready and willing to share sound advice when dealing with life lessons. She also enjoyed entertaining her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Grandma.” She loved them and they loved her dearly. She was one of a kind and will truly be missed. We take solace in knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories her two children, Denise Renee Parker (Pete) and Leonard Walter Parker (Janice); three grandchildren, Rickia Coates, Daevon Barksdale (Ericka) and Crystal Parker; one great grandchild, Owen Barksdale; four brothers, Preston Parker Jr., Norman Parker (Katie), David Parker and Robert Parker (Shelva); two sisters, Mary Parker and Josephine Lucas; four nieces, Margaret Byars, Marsha Richards, Kenisha Parker and Sharkina Parker; one nephew, Deon Bishop; one great niece, Quiana Richards; six great nephews, Joseph Richards, Rashaad Richards, Leroy Dorsey, Kenneth Butler, Marcus Silver and Jamal Wither; and a host of very loving cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Hattie Bell Richards and two nephews, Nate Parker and Sam Richards, Jr.

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