Eudora E. LaVeist

EUDORA E. LAVEIST of Reisterstown, Maryland went home to the Lord on Saturday, December 29, 2012. She was eighty-six. Called “Dora” by many of her friends and family, she was known fro her love of God, family and commitment to improving her community. On April 21, 1926, she was born Eudora Eugenia Ramos to Antonio Jose Ramos and Enriquetta Coakley in the city of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Her brothers were Juan Antonio, Carlos Fransisco, Aristides, Roberto Alejandro, Marcelo Lorenzo Tolele and Juancito. Her sisters were Olympia and Clara Antonia. She immigrated to the United States at age nineteen to live in Brooklyn, New York with her aunt Pauline Roberts Lewest and uncle Constant Lewest and their children, Judith, Adolph and Raymond. Dora became a naturalized citizen and married William Laveist at Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church in Brooklyn, where they were members. They had four children, Gregory, Pamela, Thomas and Wilbert. Dora was also a loving mother figure to their oldest sister Hyacinth Illidge. Dora was involved in community activism and organizing. She fought for justice and the advancement of her people. She was proud of her African and Hispanic heritage and taught her children to be equally proud. She stressed education and encouraged them to dream beyond the limitations of Brownsville, Brooklyn. She participated in marches led by the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (before Powell became a legendary member of the United States House of Representatives) to push the NYC Transit Authority to hire black bus drivers. She participated in marches led by the Rev. Al Sharpton against New York City Police Department racism. She was among the parents in Ocean Hill- Brownsville who advanced for community control over schools, which in part led to a major New York City teacher’s strike in 1968. For several years she volunteered at the Brooklyn headquarters of former United States Rep. Major Owens. She was also a foster care parent for abused children. In every community in which she lived, Dora was well known for her delicious cakes, her entertaining stories, her beautiful singing voice and her love for dancing. She expressed her love of life and people through her hospitality and great cooking. She carried herself with dignity and was an example of finer womanhood. Dora retired from the New York City Department of Social Services. Among her many community service activities was her membership in the Lions Club International, and the Independent Order of Mechanics in Brooklyn. Most importantly, she loved God and made sure that her children attended church and learned to pray. In the United States, Dora is survived by: her four children and their spouses, Arlene, Ray, Bridgette and Rita; two step-daughters, Hyacinth and Jackie and their spouses; two cousins, Judith and Francis; fifteen grandchildren, Cassandra, Yolanda, Edouard, Tiffany, Bryce, Isaiah, Noni, Elijah, Carlton, Randall, Naomi, Clay, Daniel, Josh, Coryn; and her great-grandchild, Jade; six nieces, Tina, Olympia, Aurelia, Daisy, Josephina and Pura; two nephews, Johnnie and Tony; and among her great-nieces and-nephews are, Olympia and Raymond of Maryland.

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Eudora E. LaVeist

April 21, 1926 - December 29, 2012