Gwendolyn Banks Dorman

The first note the world ever heard from Gwendolyn Louise Banks Dorman was on March 20, 1941, in the City of Richmond, Virginia. Her late parents, Kemper Banks and Florence Taylor Banks, welcomed her with open arms and she sang her way through life until she passed, on January 14, 2024. Gwen, as she was known to all, attended Richmond Public Schools and graduated from the historic Maggie L. Walker High School. She graduated from Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) in 1962 with a degree in music education. While at VSU, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in 1959. She celebrated 50 years of membership in 2009 and she was a Diamond Life Member. Upon her graduation, Gwen began her professional career as an elementary school teacher in the Richmond Public School system where she would stay until retirement. She combined her joy of teaching and music and used every opportunity to be an educator. fu addition to being a classroom teacher, she devoted additional time to teaching piano to children. After graduation, Gwen married Milton R. Nash, Jr., with whom she was blessed to welcome her daughter Andrea Nash Wright. Later, Gwen found love again and married Frank E. Bebbs, and their family grew with Michelle, Shelia, Fonda, and Frank, Jr. After being widowed she later married Frederick Johnson. In 2007, Gwen married George Dorman, Jr. with whom she shared a blended family with the addition of Vincent and Donna. Gwen, or Pookie as she was called by her grandchildren: Alexander, Lauren, Chelsea, and Justin, delighted in seeing them become positive and productive young adults. Gwen enjoyed membership in a variety of organizations which she found fulfilling. Over the years, in addition to being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, fuc., she was a member of The VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Richmond Chapter of Delicados, fuc., Maggie L. Walker Alumni Association, Eastern Star, and Delver Women's Club. As a member of the Happy Travelers Travel Group, Gwen fulfilled her passion for visiting other cultures and experiencing cuisine around the world-she loved good food!! To say Gwen enjoyed entertaining and living life is an understatement. She found any occasion to have family and friends over whether it was a planned cookout or impromptu pool party just because the weather was nice. She loved to see people enjoy themselves. She also loved to dance and most of all, she loved to sing. She regularly attended the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GWMA) and her passion for music and singing drove her to lead the establishment of the R L. Taylor Inspirational Choir (formerly the Intermediate Choir) at Fourth Baptist Church for which she served as the choir director for over 60 years. Gwen was a woman of many talents, and she wrote poetry, sketched, and used her eye for style to decorate her home. With each season and holiday, you could bet that she would have a color scheme and decor to celebrate the time. Gwen is preceded in death by her husband, George Dorman, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Andrea Wright (Lawrence); bonus children, Vincent Dorman, Donna Dorman Brown (James); grandchildren, Alexander Wright, Lauren Wright, Chelsea Brown, and Justin Brown; a host of other family and friends including devoted, Linda Dupee-Clark

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Gwendolyn Banks Dorman

March 20, 1941 - January 14, 2024