Dorothy Geraldine Yates-Ross

On Monday, July 24, 2017, Dorothy Geraldine Yates Ross, affectionately known as "Dotty", entered into eternal rest. Born in Richmond, Virginia on December 6, 1926, she was the oldest of four children of the late Andrew and Marie Yates. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond N. Ross, Sr.; her son, Raymond N. Ross Jr. and her sister, Lillian "Babysis" Yates Dobbins. Dorothy was educated in the Richmond Public Schools. After receiving her Certificate of Cosmetology, she worked and taught for a number of years at Al Trotter's School of Beauty in Ashland, Virginia. In 1955, she began her career in the juvenile justice system working first at the Hanover School for Boys, then at Janie Porter Barrett School for Girls and finally at the Bon Air Leaning Center from where she retired. She enjoyed working with the young people who loved and respected her. Just as with her own children, she never missed an opportunity to motivate them to believe that with education, hard work and determination, they could achieve their dreams. Dorothy accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age when she was baptized at the Fourth Baptist Church where the Dr. Robert L. Taylor was the pastor. Many years later, she decided to join her husband and children at Good Shepherd Baptist Church just so that they could all worship together as a family. For a few years she was a member of the Senior Choir. She especially enjoyed participating in activities and services of the Women's Fellowship and the Deaconess Board until her health began to fail. Dorothy and Raymond were married on December 17, 1945 and were blessed to be together for sixty-two years before his death on July 27, 2008 separated them. Now, they will be together again. Their union was blessed with four children; Raymond Nathaniel, Jr. (Junie), Linda Dianne (Cookie), Douglas Andrew (Tony) and Michael Everette (Mike). Dorothy loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. She loved to share with everyone information about their activities and accomplishments. She leaves behind one daughter, Linda R. Cobb and her husband, Harold; two sons, Douglas A. Ross, Sr. and his wife, Delores and Michael E. Ross, Sr.; seven grandchildren, Harold and Jonathan Cobb, Lisa Johnson, and her husband, John, Denise Flanagan and her husband, Horace, Douglas Ross, Jr., Raymond Ross, III. and Michael Ross, Jr.; twelve great-children, Ginae, Marche', Rayanni, Shadajah, Jasmine, Shianne, Jevonne, Mia, Destiny, Danyell, Douglas, Layla; one great-great grandchild, Toyre; two sisters, Lois Y. Via and Shirley Y. Brown; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, two devoted, Linda C. Ross and her mother, Elise Cephas.

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Dorothy Geraldine Yates-Ross

December 6, 1926 - July 24, 2017