PORTSMOUTH- Dorothy P. Evans, 89, Portsmouth social worker and social service policy advocate, died on September 7, 2017. "Dot" was small in physical stature, but large in energy and determination; a powerful force for good in our community.
Native of Greensboro, NC, Dot received a BA from Wake Forest University and MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. She began her career in Wilson, NC where she handled adoptions, child and old age protective services, and medical social work. She moved to Portsmouth in 1953, serving in various professional roles before becoming Director of Child and Family Service (now the UP Center) 1974-1990. There her initiatives included a nationally recognized Child Abuse Prevention Program. She served more than 35 regional boards including chairing the Council of Agency Executives for the Portsmouth United Fund, and the Board of the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University. She was one of seven founders of the H.E.R. Shelter for Battered Women.
Retirement was simply a change of venue. She went on to serve and chair boards, lobbying for healthcare for uninsured children and other social policy programs, and volunteering for cancer charity Lee's Friends.
She held many leadership posts at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church from its founding in 1959.
As much as she was an agent for social change, she was also an energetic creator of fun. From Silent Movie Night in the back yard to the Hawaiian Luau at the swim club, wherever Dot was, there was the party!
She was the widow of Michael J. Evans, Arts and Entertainment editor of the Virginian Pilot. She is survived by daughter Judith Evans of Westfield, NJ, and nine nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 16, 2017, at 11:00am at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3300 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, Va.
Charitable donations may be made to St. Christopher's or to the H.E.R. Shelter, at hershelter.com. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.