Obituary of Dorothy Ray Hardison

Dorothy Ray was born January 21, 1931 in Dallas, Texas to the union of James Curtis Hyder and Rosie Lee White. Dorothy was raised by her maternal grandmother, Emma Walker White, affectionately called, “White”, until the age of 12. Dorothy moved to Los Angeles to live with her mother, Rosie Lee and her stepfather, Arthur Matthews. Her Stepfather enrolled Dorothy in Grammar School without a birth certificate, so he elected to use Rosie’s birthday, January 29th and his last name. Dorothy Matthews attended schools in Los Angeles, graduating, head of her class at Thomas Jefferson High school in 1948. She attended Business College at Los Angeles Trade Technical, earning her Associate degree. Dorothy met Bobby Earl Hubbard and wed July 1950. Yolanda was born in 1955. Bobby Jr. was born in 1956. Bobby Sr returned to sea and Dorothy and her two children Yolanda and Bobby lived in Los Angeles When the marriage dissolved, Dorothy was a single mom at times working two jobs. She had a beautiful voice and would sing high soprano. She used her voice to land a Switchboard Operator job in Downtown Los Angeles at Joy Stevens. During a chance meeting in Downtown Los Angeles, she bumped into the sexy guy whom she knew from High School, Richard Hardison. He was a snazzy dresser, Mom would say. He was out of her league. He on the other hand knew Dorothy was one of the prettiest girls on campus, but thought she was too smart for him. Ironically, their mothers lived on the same street, within six houses of each other. They married in 1964 and to that union Richard Earl was born in 1965. Richard later adopted Dorothy’s children Bobby and Yolanda. Richard’s daughter, Deborah from his previous marriage, also joined the family. Richard worked for Los Angeles Unified School District and convinced Dorothy to also take a test and join the LAUSD. Dorothy was always a good test taker so she knew she would get the job. And get the job she did. She started her career at LAUSD as a Microfilm Operator, advancing though the ranks to Senior Operator. When the District did away with microfische, Dorothy transferred to Food Services holding various positions, lastly as School Lunch Program Auditor. Her territory included the entire West Valley, the West side and Downtown L.A. She retired in 1993. In 1994, Dorothy moved herself and her mother Rosie Lee to San Antonio, Texas. After her mother passed and she became ill, she returned to Southern California September, 2005 to Moorpark, California. . Dorothy fought the good fight of faith. Dorothy gave her soul to Jesus long ago at the tender age of 8 years old. She was first baptized as a Baptist but later came of the pastorship of Fredrick K.C. Price and was one of the early members of CCC on Crenshaw Boulevard, the first home. She was the Head Counselor She reminded everyone she would meet, “Jesus loves you and so do I“. She also gave to various charities, most notably, the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was also a member of Chapter No. 43 O.E.S.-P.H.R.A., Los Angeles, CA. She befriended an old work buddy from the Break Buddies, Irving Gilbert They remained good friends until his passing. Other break buddies included Wanda Capers, Norma Tong, Harriet Bailey and others. Her Heavenly Father called her home late Sunday evening on May 24, 2015. Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, Rosie Lee, husband, Richard. and daughter, Deborah Diane She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, Bobby Vincent Hardison, Richard Earl (Maria Victoria) Hardison, her daughter, Yolanda (Ronald) James, grandchildren: Leilani Downing, James Downing, Brittany (Jean Paul) Greco, Robert (Ruby) Hardison, Vinchelle Hardison, LaDarion Hardison, and Andre M. Smith, her great grandchildren, Naomi Downing and Andre Benjamin Joseph Greco and Ayanna Hardison her cousins, Chandra Bell Johnson, Felicia Bell Compton, Andrea Bell Miller and Willie Bell of PrairieView, Texas, Jessica Butler of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Christine Britt and Michelle Britt Watkins of Dallas, Texas, Bernita Ruth Walker, Lorna Rose Crowell , Bobby and Mary Joiner and a host of other cousins and relatives and friends., including her long time friend, Marie Hamilton and the most gracious caregivers ever, Metat and Richard of Thelma’s Platinum Senior Care.