Dorothy Bell Gundy-Washington
"A SPECIAL LADY"
The incredible journey of this elegant lady, Mrs. Dorothy Bell Gundy Washington life began May 20, 1928, in Rayville, LA. She was baptized and received early spiritual guidance at Macedonia Baptist Church in Rayville, LA and attended school in Rayville, LA, graduating from Rayville Colored High School. After high school, she obtained her BS Degree from Fisk University in Nashville, TN 1949-50 and obtained her M.Ed. from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, LA in 1967. She was among the first Black student to graduate from NLU. She pursued others studies at Tuskegee Institute, Grambling State College, and Southern University.
As a child she was quite aware of her family's commitment for serving people. Her family businesses, The People's Progressive Burial Insurance Company, Inc. and the Sims and Gundy Funeral Company, Inc. served the people of Northeast LA in Rayville, Tallulah, and Monroe for almost 75 years. As an adult Mrs. Washington served as a member of the Board of Directors.
It was at Fisk that she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Beta Chapter and several years ago honored as a Fifty Year Member.
After college, she met and married the love of her life, William Lloyd Washington, on February 14, 1953. They parented two daughters, Patricia Washington Reese and Shawn Washington Williams.
Her plans were to continue her studies to become a Physical Therapist. As fate would have it in the spring of 1949-1950 school session, she was employed by the Morehouse Parish Training School in Bastrop, LA under Henry V. Adams as Principal.
After relocating to Bastrop for Morehouse school employment she united with St. John MBC before the leadership of Rev. Steven R. Conley. While at St. John she used her many talents, including Chairing programs, Women's Day, Church Anniversary, and Church History.
When this elegant, graceful, striking, stunning, beautiful young lady "hit" the campus, all the boys fell in love with her and the girls wanted to emulate her. Her tenure at Morehouse changed the world. The students she taught and those who were in her presence received the best of everything from her and she instilled in them the desire to become the best they could be. Everyone was astounded with her beautiful penmanship. Many called it calligraphy, but it was God's gift to her.
In 1951 the one and only yearbook "The Tiger" was published with Mrs. Washington as the sponsor. With her constant efforts of preserving history, in 1976 she along with Place' Aux Dames Civic and Social Club produced the Memory Book "The Tiger". "The Tiger" was a pictorial and historical accounting of Morehouse School from 1916-1969. Mrs. Washington served as the advisor. The dissolution of Morehouse was in 1969 and from there she was transferred as a Physical Education teacher to what became Bastrop Junior High School East. She was a founding member of the Place' Aux Dames Civic and Social Club, Inc., whose immediate endeavor was to improve the culture, civic, and social aspects of its members and the community.
While on the staff at Morehouse, she was employed as a Mathematics and Physical Education Teacher. She was the Basketball and Tennis Coach. Even though she didn't have a tennis court, in 1961 and 1962 the Tennis Team were AA Champions for the LIALO Louisiana State Tennis singles and doubles.
Most of all she is remembered as the Physical Education teacher with the starched and ironed short blue skirt, white blouse, sparkling white tennis shoes, and a whistle around her neck. She initiated "May Day" into the school activities, wrapping the May Pole and taught Folk dances from different countries with costumes of that country. In 2016 the students are still remembering how they loved it.
Culturally inclined, civic minded, and committed, Mrs. Washington continued to work in her community following her retirement. In 1980-1983 she was the program Coordinator for Morehouse Council on Aging. From 1983 -1984 she was "Host" for KTRY FM/AM radio Show, "Harambe" (Working Together). In this position she interviewed Governors, Senators, Community Leaders, Stake Holders, and others. The program was an informative one. She received several awards for her program and public service.
Following her Radio Show the longest period of community service was from 1983-1990 with the Morehouse Community Improvement organization (MCIO) as Head Start Program Director.
Mrs. Washington was a member of the Monroe Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was a Golden Life Member and Delta Dear.
Other affiliates were Chair of the City of Bastrop Civil Service Board, Mayor's Advisory Board from 1989-1999 under the administration of Mayor Clarence W. Hawkins, a Board of Directors of the Snyder Museum and Creative Arts and pioneer of the Morehouse School Reunion, coordinating the first several Reunions starting in 1978. She was a member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association.
Mrs. Washington was affiliated with numerous organizations but put her religious obligations to God first She left this life as a member of Mt. Olive United Methodist Church where she was a Lay Leader for several years and attended many Conferences. She designed and made the flag for the Advent Season, Chaired programs, and was available wherever needed. During her later years of illness she worshiped at Greater Magnolia MBC where Rev. Mozell Smith, Jr. is the pastor.
She thoroughly enjoyed her last days working with and participating in the Morehouse Reunion starting on June 30 - July 3, 2016. Dressed in her blue and gold she was in the parade riding in a Camaro convertible and waving to the crowd. As she entered the dance hall for the Blue and Ball and the Banquet Room, there were more than 450 people in attendance. Mrs. Washington was Morehouse proud, admiring the beautiful blue and gold setting complete with the Tiger replicas. During the final months of preparation for the celebration she was an intricate part of steering the committee down memory lane, reminding them of important milestones in our history. At the end of this great celebration, always loyal to the blue and gold, you could see her singing the words of the Morehouse Alma Mater.
Mrs. Washington's demise was Friday, July 22, 2016 in her home.
Preceding her in death was her grandparents; parents; Cleveland Bell; C. S. and Mrs. Jessie Williams Gundy; a brother; William Sills Gundy Sr.; a sister, Marian Wilma Gundy Hill; her husband, William Lloyd Washington, and her daughter, Shawn Washington Williams.
She leaves to cherish her memory with the greatest of affection her daughter, Patricia Washington Reese, son-in-law, Julian Reese; granddaughter, Brittney Olivia Reese; and nephews Darryl Gundy; William Sills Gundy; Michael Gundy; Everett Blanton; Julius Blanton, Maurice Blanton, and Kevin Blanton. She also leaves to cherish her memory many other relatives, caregivers and aide, a multitude of students and friends.
Mrs. Washington wore many "hats" - wife, mother, teacher, leader, friend, neighbor, and matriarch. She will be dearly missed.