Dolores Theresa Matthews

Delores Theresa Coles Matthews was born on July 2, 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Mamie Alice Coles. Delores graduated first in her class from Benjamin Banneker Elementary School in East Baltimore and in 1944 while still in elementary school was one of the first black children to participate in a radio broadcast in Baltimore City. She attended Dunbar Junior High School and while there was a member of an ensemble that sang in statewide competitions. Graduating from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in 1955, Delores was one of the top ten students in her senior class, Continuing her education, Delores graduated from Coppin State Teachers College ( now Coppin State University) in 1959 with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from Morgan State (now University). Dolores taught in the Baltimore City Public School System for more than 40 years, spending 25 of those years at Hampton Elementary School. Her skills in teaching were not liminted to the classroom. She taught paraprofessionals, headed an early childhood education group, taught remedial reading to children during the summer and was affiliated with the Literacy Program of America throught the Enoch Pratt Free Library which focused on teaching adults to read and help them obtain a high school diploma or a GED. She was the Senior Teacher for the Early Childhood Division and spearheaded ortaory competitons, led after-school drama classes and cheer leading practice and oranized parents helpers called Mr. Matthews Angels. After retiring in July1995, she continued teaching part time with retired teachers program for more than four years. After her long teaching, career Delores moved into a second career working for the Meadow Group where she supervised the marketing department for 20 years. Dolroes attended Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Baltimore from 1941 to 1961. She was baptized there at the age of 9 and her picture appearded in the News American Newspaper as the first person to be baptized in the new baptismal fount. She was an active member at St Sinai regularly attending services and Sunday school and later teaching Sunday school. She was the secretary of the Sunday School Department. On june15,1958 Delores married William Matthews at Sinai Baptist Church in Baltimore. During this union Donielle was born and later Teresa was born. Williams and Donielle preceded Dolores in death. Dolores followed her two first cousins who she grew up with like sisters, Ida M Eley and Dorothy Washington to Concord Baptist Church and joined in 1972, At Concord she sang on the senior choir II participated in dramatic presentations and was active with the Angel Tree Program, the seniors ministry, the women ministry, the Pastors guilt the social welfare ministry the visitation care ministry, the women ministry the pastors guilt the social welfare ministry, the visitation care ministry the share food program and the prison ministry. Delores regularly attended Monday Night Bible Study with her family. Delores enjoyed volunteering with the Department of Social Service in Towson, Md recruiting others to help families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas and also aided in the toys for tots program. She also volunteered through Towson's Department of Aging by taking shut in seniors to doctors appointments, grocery shopping and completing other small task for them. Delores Loved attending Broadway shows with her daughter. She also loves listening to jazz , traveling and was an avid reader. She often read 4 to 5 books monthly. She was a member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter Phi Beta Sorority,Inc. Her sorority sister mentors were Dr. Bettina Scott and Dr. E. Fran Johnson. In 2016 Delores moved to Orlando Florida to live with her son who had relocated there from Maryland, she loved the sunny state, While loving in Orlando she worshipped at Orlando Baptist Church. She had very caring and supportive neighbors who looked out for her daily after the passing of her son. Loretta and Glen Johnson, Trish, Rynette and Pam were always there to look out for her. Dolores leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory her loving and devoted daughter, Teresa, grandchildren Alex and Lex Matthews cousin Shelia Eley; Goddaughter Dr Rhonda Sturdivant Harris ( RAlph) who she alwayas referred to as her other daughter and Tyla Yancy, Godson George MAtthews other children Darrin Gray her girls Tomeka, McKie, Roslyn Lackland and Laura Sellars and Charles Koonce Jr a devoted caretaker and cherished by Dolores as her other son.

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Dolores Theresa Matthews

July 2, 1937 - January 17, 2024