Dorothy Ann Blackwell, lovingly known as Dottie and Sadie, was born on January 11, 1942 in Chaptico, Maryland to the late, Agnes “Honey” Belton-Queen and Harry Wilson Thomas. God in loving and tender compassion called her home on March 11, 2018 on the “Blackwell Ranch” on St. George’s Island. In 1972, Dorothy married the love of her life, Robert Henderson Blackwell. God blessed the loving couple with twelve beautiful children. She joined St. George’s Catholic Church where she remained a devoted member instilling the love of Christ in all of her children and grandchildren. Dottie attended St. Joseph School and later graduated in 1960 from Banneker High School. After graduating high school she was employed in various positions: Southern Maryland Mobile Homes, Piney Point Aquatic Plant, and Minitec Corporation from which she later retired. She later accepted a position at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship where she remained employed until the time of her passing. Although she held several positions outside of her home, her most notable jobs (all full-time) were that of a proud caretaker for her grandchildren, the head cook for all the infamous Blackwell Sunday dinners and cookouts, and being the peacemaker and counselor which came so natural to her.
Dottie was a very caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She gave of herself very willingly. She possessed an innate ability to see the good in everyone. She was always encouraging, loving and especially kind. You would so often find her enjoying a chat on the phone with her friends and family. Her favorite past times included going to yard sales, browsing antique shops, shopping with her daughters and traveling with her family. She was ALWAYS ready for a road trip. If you needed her she would be right there. It was truly amazing to see the love that she shared with the entire community.
Dorothy Ann leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband, twelve children, Robert, Sr. (Phyllis), Joyce (Gregory), Crystal (Frankie), Wayne (Heidi), Valerie (Robert), Catherine “Cathy”, Marvin (Ursula), James (Kneeca), Brenda, Michael, Lisa (John) and Karen; nine brothers and sisters, Catherine “Carrie Mae” Somerville (Johnny), Mary Cecelia Caldwell (Russell-deceased), John Queen (Bernice), Clara “Bim” Queen, Delsie Murray (George – deceased), Gladys Ramey (John), Anna Jackson (Carl-deceased), Barbara Ann Easterling (James), James “Buddy” Thomas (Delores), two brothers-in-law, William (Rosie) and Ronald (Joanie) Blackwell; god children, Jackie Barnes, Theresa Caldwell and Sheila Thomas; twenty-eight grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, a dear sister-friend Pearl Green and a host of nieces, nephews for whom she took on the role of mother and grandmother after the passing of her dear friend and sister-in-law, Joyce. Dorothy Ann’s hugs, kisses and special dinners will be missed by all. In addition to her parents, Dorothy Ann was preceded in death by her sister, Genevieve Queen (Robert) and brother, Robert Armstrong; her mother-in-law, Catherine “Mutt” Travers, two sisters-in-law, Joyce Mae and Evangeline Blackwell and one grandson, Tavaris Hewlett.
Family and friends will unite on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 for visitation at 10 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am at St. George’s Catholic Church, 19199 St. Georges Church Rd, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Interment to follow at St. Luke UAME Church Cemetery on St. George’s Island.
