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Light a Candle
Dorothy Mae Willis was born August 22, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri to Florida B. Willis and Herman Lee Willis Sr. She was raised by her grandmother Olivia Jones and grandfather. Dorothy still maintained a relationship with her birthparents. The two along with her grandparents made sure Dorothy’s financial needs were met. There was a time when her dad invested in a restaurant for her. At sixteen she worked at two different restaurants. She attended a technical high school where she met her would be husband, Lewis N. Peters Jr. Lewis’s mother lived in California so, they joined her. Out of that union was seven children. Dorothy raised her children to be responsible, respect adults, and have integrity and a strong work ethic. Most importantly, they were required to attend church every Sunday. To date all her children, have a relationship with Christ fulfilling the scripture, Proverbs 22:6.
When they divorced, Dorothy and the children moved into the Aliso Village Projects in Los Angeles. Through volunteer work, Dorothy was subsequently introduced to the Neighborhood Adult Participation Project. Because of her job performance she was promoted to the assistant director. She was also able to purchase a home in Pomona California in 1969. She became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. As sole provider for her children, alongside her Monday through Friday job at the NAPP Center, she worked some weekends. When Dorothy moved to Pomona, because of her fear of driving, she would have to catch the bus to and from Los Angeles to work. At times, she would get out of meetings late and have to walk miles. Her prayers were, “God let me get home safely to my children.”
When the NAPP Center decided to open a center in Pomona she became the director. As the director of the NAPP Center, Dorothy did a lot of community programs and services such as, the Miss Black Pomona contest. The center held the first Juneteenth Parade and Celebration at Ganesha Park. Scatman Crothers was the Grand Marshall. They hosted dances and Christmas parties. The center had summer hot meal programs for children, help youth get summer jobs, gave out Christmas gifts and five-hundred live Christmas trees a year, government cheese, food, and clothes. In 1982, it was announced that the NAPP Centers were closing. Dorothy, with the assistance of the city of Pomona incorporated her chapter and it became, The Pomona Neighborhood Center in 1983. Along with the programs they were already doing, they added new services and community outreaches. They provided legal rights, rental assistance, and services for abused children. They started a cold weather program where they fed and housed the homeless during the cold seasons for twenty years, and the list goes on. She was the CEO until the center closed 2016.
Dorothy served on several community organizations and committees. She received a plethora of accolades and awards. She was the Community Arts Commissioner for the City of Pomona (2 years), and Community Life Commissioner for the City of Pomona (2 years). Dorothy was a member of The Nation Council of Negro Women, and the NAACP. Dorothy loved her grandchildren, and her grandchildren LOVE her. She loved spending time with her family and going on trips. One of her favorite trips was traveling to Mexicali. Dorothy loved going to ANYBODIES casino to play the slot machines, and she had an affinity for good food except Belinda’s greens.
Left to celebrate Dorothy’s life and legacy are her children, John Peters (Carolyn), Dollphernea Thomas, Lewis Cornelius Peters (Sylvia), Belinda Yvette Dawkins, George Peters (Constance), Cynthia Peters Valentine, special daughter and caregiver, Jennifer Bowell. Her daughter Anita Marie Lane proceeded her in the death. She’s survived by her siblings, Delores Meredith of Illinois, Diane Coleman (Curtis) of Missouri, Woodrow Willis Caroline) California, Christina Murphy (Kenneth), Marvin Willis (Cathy) Missouri, Herman Lee Willis Jr., Deborah Willis, Nancy Willis-Williams, Sherman Lee Willis, Thurman Lee Willis, Patricia Willis from Illinois. Her brother, Isaac Willis, father Herman Lee Willis, and her mother Florida B. Willis proceeded her in death. She leaves 21 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, and host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and a community who will remember her. She fought the good fight. She ran a good race. Now she is resting with the Father.
