In Loving Memory

Dr. Dolores E. Cummings

February 25, 1945 - January 11, 2025

Dolores Eudora Cummings was born in Freedmen’s Hospital in the District of Columbia. This proud native Washingtonian was the only child of Ivaline M. and E. Handel Cummings, an educator and attorney, respectively. She attended the public schools of the District of Columbia. While in the second grade, she was honored to be selected to present a bouquet to Queen Elizabeth on her visit to the Nation’s Capitol. She also became the first African American Candy Striper to serve at the American Red Cross National Headquarters. 

Entering Howard University at the age of 16, Dolores majored in psychology. During her sophomore year, the Bachelor Benedicts Social Club presented Dolores to society. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at the age of 20, engaged in further studies at her alma mater and became employed by the District of Columbia public schools.

From the moment she assumed these responsibilities, she sought to create innovative intervention strategies for students identified as potential dropouts. Striving to stretch beyond traditional models of service delivery, she developed many elementary and secondary education Title I effective education projects. Some of these projects were developed in conjunction with the Howard University and the eminent psychiatrist, Dr. Frances Welsing.

Dolores gained recognition in journals and received numerous awards for her services to the school system and the community. Dolores forged groundbreaking alliances and collaborations with the American Medical Association, the District of Columbia Medical Society, the National Association of Black Psychologists, the American Psychological Association and the National Association of Mental Illness. She also received an appointment to the Interagency Council on Education from Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly; and later co-chaired the first District of Columbia School Asthma Awareness Day along with Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health. 

As a legacy, she is a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated Sorority. For over ten years she was a volunteer reader at the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. She has served for ten years as the Director of Education at the Takoma Chapel. She is a member of Psi Chi, Phi Delta Kappa Pi National Association of Black Psychologists and the American Psychological Association, the American Association of University Professors, the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue Association, the National Association of Colored People, and the American University Alumni Association, and the Links, Inc.  

She leaves to cherish her memory a dedicated group of lifelong friends, her LINKS Sisters, Sorority Sisters, and her Church Family at the Takoma Metaphysical Chapel, pastored by her Godson the Rev. Dr. James Webb Jr.

A quote from Albert Einstein, which Dolores believes best captures her journey, reads as follows: The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before. 

We invite you to join us in celebrating Dolores' life on this dedicated webpage. Your condolences, stories, videos and pictures will be cherished by her family and provide comfort during this difficult time.

Care entrusted to Thibadeau Mortuary Service, p.a.

124 E. Diamond Avenue

Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5009

(301)495-4950

www.interfaithfunerals.com