Dorothy A. Oden

Dorothy Anderson Oden - named “Doretha” by her mother, referred to by her siblings as “Doe” and her friends and young relatives as “Dot” - was born on February 21, 1926 in Rock Hill, South Carolina where she was much beloved by her parents Minnie Patterson and George Anderson and other relatives. She moved to Washington DC in 1934 where she faced an adjustment to city living, a new school environment and increased responsibilities as the oldest child to her three siblings - Charles, Jerome, and Virginia - in a single-parent household. In time, Dorothy adjusted to city ways and made new friends, many of whom remained a part of her life throughout the years.

During World War II Dorothy left high school to secure job opportunities in the federal government. Her federal employment as a messenger allowed the family to move out of the crowded quarters they shared with others into a single family dwelling. Her federal employment also allowed Dorothy to experience the pleasures of being a well-dressed young woman, shopping at clothing stores not often frequented by Black women of the time.

Following the war, Dorothy held a variety of jobs until she went to work for the DC Public School system from which she retired in 1989.

Her network of friends were fun-loving people who took cruises, visited vacation resorts in the Northeast region, attended out of town Washington football games, cross-country bus trips, and New Year’s Eve in a hotel overlooking Times Square.

By the mid 1960’s Dorothy met the love of her life, James Oden. Influenced by her close friends, Helen Sheffield and Dorothy Banks, she joined New Bethel Baptist Church in 1967. Dorothy and James were married by Reverend Walter Fauntroy in August 1969. While she still maintained her connections with her ‘party hearty’ group, Dorothy also became a ‘church lady.’ Over the years, she served as an usher, sang in the choir and performed in the church’s theatrical productions. She volunteered in other capacities and provided loyal support to James when he served on the New Bethel Board of Trustees.

Following retirement, Dorothy invested even more time with her beloved family. She was the rock for all of her cousins, siblings, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, in their time of need. Between 1991 and 2002 she often rode the bus from her home in Southeast to Northwest to assist with child care/home schooling for Virginia’s grandchildren- Ava, Jay, Leah, Kamaria and Ayan.

We say that mathematically, she made it to 100 years old (363 days divided by 365 = .9945)! She will be greatly missed by her siblings Virginia (husband Akbar), Jerome, and Charles (wife Melva); cousins Doris, Patsy, Milton, and Ruthie; nieces and nephews - Ernest, Theresa, Vida, Carolyn, Jenice (husband Colin), Thomas (wife Susan), and Charles (wife Michele); grand nieces and nephews - Josh, Alvin (wife Maribel), Fontaine, Hayes (wife Lavina), Rhonda (husband Russell), Wenona (husband Qwebena), Patrick (wife Camille), Alisha, Ava (partner Mike), Jay (wife Rainea), Leah, Kamaria, Ayan; her many great grand nieces and nephews, including Autumn; and her many friends. She will surely meet her mother Minnie and her husband James in heaven.

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