Visitation: Friday, January 11, 2013 2pm -6pm.

Service: Saturday, January 12, 2013 11:00am Grant AME Church; 1129 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813

Interment: Sunny Side Cemetery 1095 E. Willow Street Long Beach, CA 90806

Dorothy Eunice Johnson was born February 4, 1911 in Washington, District of Columbia to Naomi and Joseph Johnson. She grew up in a loving Christian home with five siblings, all whom preceded her in death.



At the age of 15, Dorothy left home to be a Nanny for a Navy Lieutenant and his family. Shortly afterwards he was reassigned to the Naval Base in Long Beach, California that was preparing for the onslaught of World War II.



Prior to the start of World War II the Lieutenant and his family moved on, but Dorothy wanted to remain in California. Like so many young Black Americans wanting a better livelihood, Dorothy sought the relative freedom from bigotry and hypocrisy and stayed in Long Beach.



Shortly after leaving the security of her position as a nanny, Dorothy gained employment with the City of Long Beach, Parks and Recreation, quite a feather in her cap since Long Beach was extremely prejudiced in those days. She remained a loyal employee until she retired. Her years in Long Beach afforded her opportunity to help found Grant AME Church of Long Beach. She remained a faithful member of this church until her sunset.



In 1934 she met a handsome gentleman, LaVert Sims, who swept her off her feet. They were married December 31, 1936 and were married for 50 years before the Good Lord called LaVert home. Dorothy and LaVert never had children of their own, but loved to have their niece, Gloria and nephew John, come to Long Beach every summer to live with them.



Dorothy's life was one of frequent loving warm family gatherings, filled with laughter. It was an old fashioned style of life, filled with mandatory attendance at major holidays. Large raucous affairs filled with spirit and cheer and wonderful food and barbeques at her nephew John Mays home in Los Angeles.



There were also the occasional trips to Las Vegas where she stayed with her niece and nephew, Gloria and Bill Ellis. And Christmas Eve dinners with her Great Niece Letitia Price in Chino Hills.



Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories her niece Gloria Ellis, husband William (Bill) Ellis, John's wife Beryl Mays and Ermma Baylor husband Orlando; great nieces and nephews, Letitia Ellis Price, husband Dennis, Gail Ellis Preston, Jill Ellis; nephews Eric LaVert (Cindy Malone), Richard Orlando and ten great-grandnieces and nephews.