DORTHY (ADAMS) MC LAURIN

November 14, 1921 ~ May 18, 2021 (age 99)

Obituary Dorothy (Dot) Elizabeth Adams McLaurin, born on November 14th, 1921, was the youngest daughter of John Quincy Glasco Adams and Katie Ann Catherine McRae. She and her siblings: Gertrude, Gertrude’s daughter Rosa Mae, Carl, Thomas, Ella, Lula, Lanie, Simon, and (James) Howard were raised in Raeford, North Carolina. The family was baptized at East Freedom Presbyterian Church and St. James Holiness Church. She graduated from Upchurch High School and won a basketball scholarship to Barber Scotia College in Concord, NC. Dorothy worked in the laundry at Fort Bragg, NC. She moved to New York, NY in 1944. She was employed at a lingerie factory in the city’s garment district. Dorothy retired as an Eligibility Specialist II for New York City’s Department of Social Services in 1995. Married to Roscoe Franklin McLaurin at Salem United Methodist Church, they parented Thomas Calvin, Patricia Ann, Richard Irving, Linda Rose, Deborah Marie, Quincy Bernard and Betty Jean in central Harlem. She was a member of The Soul Saving Station for Every Nation and her family also fellowshipped at Manhattan Christian Reformed Church. Joining in 1982, Dorothy became a dedicated member of Salem. She attended Bible study; was a leader of Class #1; a Communion Stewart Chairperson; sang in the Inspirational Choir; served with the Hunger Relief program; worked in the Soup Kitchen; visited the sick and the shut in, as well as supported numerous social activities. Dorothy has received several plaques and certificates for her dedicated service to Salem. Upon retirement, Dorothy joined Local Union DC 37 Retirees Association, “Not to Be Alone.” She attended meetings, workshops, trips to plays, music halls and museums. She received certificates for her active participation. A champion of the underdog, Dorothy gave consistently to the Church, St. Jude’s Hospital for Children; The Red Cross; The Wounded Warriors and Father Flanagan’s Boy’s Home, among others. Dorothy strongly supported her family’s heritage and functions, north and south. She was presented an Award of Recognition by The McRae Family Committee in 2006. She was recognized as an esteemed Elder of the tribe at the 2014 McRae Family Reunion. A lifelong learner, athlete, poet, Dorothy was loving, kind and generous, leading by example. Strong, resilient and independent, she described herself as “peculiar” (I Peter 2:9 KJV). A soft-spoken woman of few words, she understood that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” She said “People gonna talk. You can’t stop people from talking. If they say something bad about you, let it be a lie.” A prayer warrior and foot soldier in the army of the LORD, Dorothy fought valiantly, departing this life on May 18th, 2021. Preceding Dorothy in transition: her parent; siblings; husband, Roscoe; children, Bernard, Richard, Patricia and Betty; and great grandson, Jadon. Her children, Thomas, Linda and Deborah; grandchildren, Bernell, Ebony, Latoya and Ayana; great grandson, Michael; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Jeanette, Thomas Council and son, Tyrone; sisters and brother-in-law, Annie Bell McLaurin of New Carlson, MD and Dr. Virginia and Reverend George Manning of Washington, DC; and a host of kinfolk and friends