Dorothy Jordan Pryor, 97, of Loomis Lakeside @ Reeds Landing departed this life on Friday, January 15, 2021 after a long illness.
Dorothy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John Marshall Jordan and Bessie (Sayles) Jordan. Dorothy grew up in Springfield, graduated "Summa Cum Laude" both from Classical High School and from Fisk University, receiving her Masters degree from the University of Chicago, and pursuing further graduate studies at Springfield College, Howard University and the University of Massachusetts. She began an extensive teaching career at Kentucky State University, then Technical High School in Springfield and finally at Springfield Technical Community College where she taught from 1970 until her retirement in 1982.
Named Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, Dorothy taught Black literature, served as an affirmative action officer receiving three Affirmative Action Equal Employment Opportunity Awards. In 1985 she was appointed by the then Govenor as a Trustee of STCC; serving as vice chairperson of the Board from1992-94. After twenty years of service STCC renamed its lecture series the Dorothy J. Pryor Lecture Series.
A life-long member of St. John's Congregational Church, Dorothy served as a church historian and sang in the Senior Choir. She was active with the Springfield Urban League, the NAACP and a board member of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
In 2005 after 58 years of marriage, she lost the love of her life and best friend, Dr. Albert C. Pryor, Jr. and later her beloved daughter Claudia Lorraine (Pryor) Malis, ( in 2012). Her treasures are her son Albert C. Pryor III, her daughter-in-Iaw, Gwen and most precious granddaughter.
The public visitation hour will be 11a.m. to noon on Friday at Harrell Funeral Home followed by a private funeral. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers Dorothy requested donations be made to the United Negro College Fund in her memory or St. John's Congregational Church, 45 Hancock St., Springfield, MA. 01109.
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