Dorothy Mae Williams

Dorothy Mae Taylor Williams (nee Collins), affectionately known as “Dottie”, was born on May 23, 1930 in Akron, Ohio to Clarence and Johnnie Mae Collins. On June 29, 2016 she left us. She will be missed. Dottie graduated at the top of her class from North High School. She soon married Julian Harris Johnson and started a family. After divorcing Julian, she married Paul Taylor, who predeceased her. She was the loving mother to eight very lucky children. For many years she was a mother and homemaker, making sure her children had love, guidance and developed the character that was expected of the Collins clan. She taught them the importance of education and serving others and to be independent thinkers. Dottie persevered through hard times without complaint, often working difficult jobs to make ends meet. After her youngest child started school, Dottie went back to school herself and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She shared her caring ways and provided excellent nursing service at several hospitals in Ohio and in California. In both states she worked at Veterans’ Administration hospitals, helping to give our Nation’s veterans the care they deserved. She furthered her education, earning an Associate’s Degree in Nursing at San Francisco State University and became a Registered Nurse. After retirement she moved to Portland, Oregon to be near family. Dottie was quick to smile and share a laugh. She was a good friend and was especially close to her sister Dolores. You could always count on her to help you through a troubled spot. She was a very creative and artistic person, with a unique sense of personal style. She was always sharply dressed, putting her own personal spin on the latest fashions. She was a talented seamstress and often made her own clothes and clothes for her children. Dottie had a beautiful singing voice and was an active choir member of every church she attended. She often sang around the house for pleasure and taught her children to love music. She had a deep, infectious laugh. Dottie was pre‐deceased by her parents Clarence and Johnnie Mae Collins, her sister Dolores Nolen, brother Gerald (Geraldine) Collins, sons Paul Keith Taylor and Michael Anthony Johnson, and daughter Camille Michelle Johnson. She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory her husband Roosevelt Williams, brother Clarence (Kitty) Collins, son Larry Taylor, daughters Antonette (Roger) McIlwain, Bernadette (Lloyd) White, Teresa (Allen Williams) Johnson and Pamela ( Roy) Rankin, grandchildren Luther Bowers, Lance Bowers, LaShon Bowers, LaNette Bowers, Rochelle Felton, Lamont (Vicky) Johnson, Summer Johnson, Demetris Taylor, Cassandra (Dwight) Minnieweather, Marcus Taylor, Krystal Rankin, Katina Rankin, Kristen Taylor, Allen Williams II, Elliot Williams, Chrystal James, Stephen Tramble, Michael Swan, Tasia Owens and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.