Obituary of Dorothy Burle Matthews

Dorothy ‘Dot’  B. (Robinson) Matthews

Dorothy B. Matthews was born on Friday, April 15, 1932, in Washington, DC, and peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home on Friday, January 28, 2022. She was 89 years old.  She was the third of 12 children born to the late John and Agnes Robinson. Dorothy,affectionately known as “Dot”, was educated in the District of Columbia and graduated from Armstrong High School.

Dorothy met and married Francis G. Matthews, also of Washington, DC and from their union seven children were born.

Dorothy developed her love of God as a young child. She loved singing songs of praise and worship and was a choir member until mothering dominated her life. She knew the power of prayer, as demonstrated by a lifetime of communion with her Heavenly father. Dorothy joined The National Evangelistic Center, now known as Evangel Cathedral, on June 1, 1957. She was a faithful member until her death. No matter where her journey took her, her faith in God never wavered for she knew in whom she trusted and believed.

Dorothy’s service to the District of Columbia spanned more than 40 years. She worked for the United Planning Organization (UPO) in the mid-70s and 80s, and helped young people get jobs in the city through the Job Corp Program. After retiring from UPO, Dorothy began a 10 year career at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Environmental Regulation Administration. Dorothy was an exceptional public servant receiving many awards and accolades from the Mayors’ offices. She retired from public service on August 29, 1997. 

Dorothy loved to travel and made many friends on cruises and excursions to South America, the Caribbean, Canada, and across the States. She was also a stylish dresser and loved wearing very high heels. 

Dorothy’s legacy, however, is the love she demonstrated to all she met, and spent most of her life helping and giving to others. She opened her home to many along the way. She was a devoted daughter to her parents, sister to her siblings, and an over-the-top mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and guardian.  She may have been small, but she had a very big heart.

Lovingly submitted,