Dorothy Thomas

Dorothy Mae Howell Thomas was born on May 3, 1941, to Thomas Howell and Effie Mae Parsons in North Carolina. She was the youngest of her parents four children, Howard Parsons, Spencer Howell and Harold Howell.

Dorothy relocated to New York City where she started her career in nursing. After living in New York for well over 25 years, Dorothy decided she wanted to be closer to her family. She made a decision to move to California where she worked for the United Cerebral Palsy Corporation. Then in 2016, she retired after 35 years of service.

She had a heart of gold. Her passions included helping people, as well as lecturing people on life. She was renowned for her cooking and baking skills. She loved to shop, read the newspaper, as well as watch sports on TV. She took extreme pride in family. Dorothy always believed in family unity. She had an abundance of family and friends that always loved, cared and cherished her.

On April 24, 2018, Dorothy passed with peace and grace. Processing her in death are her father and mother, Thomas Howell and Effie Mae Parsons and her three brothers: Howard Parsons, Spencer Howell and Harold Howell.

Dorothy leaves treasured memories to her two children, Aretha Howell and Michael Howell; two adopted children: Mark Wise and Javier Washington; nine grandchildren: Ronald, Andre, Brandi, Alaysia, Gia'shanae, Terrance Marquisha Marcel and Mark Wise Jr.; eight great grands: Kyron, Kyree, Million, Kam'ron, Kimora, Christopher, Siyah, Ma’Siyah and a host of nieces, nephews, family members and life long friends in New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia.