Ms. Dorothy DeVillars

Adams announces the passing of Ms. Dorothy Louise DeVillars, 88, who transitioned on Friday, February 23, 2018 at her Residence.

Dorothy Louise DeVillars (1929 - 2018)

Dorothy was born on April 14, 1929 to Mr. and Mrs. Ike (Cornelia) DeVillars, both are deceased.   She was an only child who grew up in a strict but very loving environment. Her maternal grandmother was Mrs. Rebecca Thompson (deceased).  Many of her relatives, on her father’s side, reside in Darien, Georgia.

Dorothy was educated in the Savannah-Chatham County Public school system.  She attended East Broad Elementary School and graduated from Beach Cuyler High School (now Alfred Ely Beach High School) with honors.  She was voted the tallest girl and most likely to succeed in the class of 1947 Senior Superlatives.   She received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Spelman College in English Literature and Social Studies, Masters degree in English Education from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), Certification in Elementary Education from Savannah State College (now Savannah State University).  She also earned an Honorary Doctor degree.

Dorothy touched the lives of many children because she taught in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System for more than 30 years.  Many people thought that she would have been an extraordinary basketball player because of her height and skills.  However, that was not her desire because she enjoyed The Arts.   Dorothy had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in her high school chorus and college glee club.  She was a Spelmanite all the way and one classy lady.  She was a member of the drama club, performed interpretive dance and was a talented soloist.  Dorothy traveled domestically and internationally.  She was a humanitarian and philanthropist in every sense of the word.  She met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  when she attended Spelman College. Over the years she grew fond of him and knew him well.  Dr. King graduated from Morehouse and Dorothy graduated from Spelman.

Ms. DeVillars served as Moderator, Women’s Fellowship Treasurer, Building Fund Treasurer and performed many more duties at her beloved First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) in Savannah, Georgia.  She also served as a counselor for the Dorchester Christian Camp where she took many students from Savannah.  She volunteered at the St. Joseph Cardiac Center on Abercorn street for many years.  She belonged to The Nifty Fifty Plus, The Jazzy Girls, a life member of the Georgia Educators Association (GAE), Chatham Retired Educators Association, NAACP, Spelman University Alumni Association, Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association, Smart seniors and King Tisdell Cottage Foundation.

She is survived by her beloved cousins, Theresa L. Murray Wright, whom she affectionately called “T” or “My Sister Cousin”, Stephanie McClean, Shawne Scott, Sharon Scott-Baptiste, her beloved church family, Spelmanite sisters, very special friends Liz and Wallace Hayes, numerous students, relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ).

Funeral Services:  11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 3, 2018; First Congregational Church

Interment: Lincoln Memorial Cemetery

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