Alma L. Dozier

Alma Taylor Dozier, a woman whose warmth, humor, and generous spirit touched generations, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and joyful living. She was born on June 15, 1931, in Powhatan County, Virginia, to Isabel Taylor and Garrett Hewitt. Her early years were spent on the farm of her beloved grandmother, Etta Taylor, where the rhythms of country life nurtured in her a lifelong love for nature and the outdoors. Growing up in Powhatan, Alma was surrounded by a close-knit extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived on nearby farms. Many of her schoolmates and fellow church members were also relatives, making her childhood one deeply rooted in family and community. At an early age she was baptized and attended Mount Zion Baptist Church in Powhatan, laying the foundation for the deep faith that would guide her throughout her life. She would later become a member of Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia where she remained a faithful member for more than 50 years. Toward the end of her life, she was a member of Concord Baptist Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Alma attended the Mohemenco School through the eighth grade and later graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1948. Although Virginia’s schools were racially segregated during that time, Alma often spoke fondly of her education and the dedicated teachers—many of them family members—who nurtured and encouraged their students. After high school, Alma joined the wave of African Americans who left the South during the Great Migration in search of new opportunities in the North. She moved to Philadelphia, where she stayed with the Miller family, a trusted household recommended by relatives back home. This tradition of community support was a hallmark of the era and a value Alma herself would continue throughout her life. It was in Philadelphia that she met the love of her life, Robert Dozier, a World War II veteran recently returned home. Their meeting was as memorable as their long marriage. While sitting behind him in a movie theater, Alma playfully plucked him on the back of the head—despite the fact, he was already there on a date with another unlucky young woman. Although their relationship nearly ended before it began—after Robert boldly announced early on that he planned to marry Alma—he eventually overcame Alma’s temporary banishment of him. The two resumed dating and went on to share 52 happy years of marriage before Robert’s passing in 2004. Determined to pursue a career devoted to helping others, Alma attended the Beaumont School of Practical Nursing, earning her diploma in 1958 and fulfilling a lifelong dream. She worked for nearly 30 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Southern Division, in South Philadelphia. Nursing was more than a job to Alma—it was a calling. She often entertained family members with lively stories from her midnight shifts and served as a volunteer nurse in the Nursing Ministry at Sharon Baptist Church. Alma’s talents and interests were as abundant as her energy. She was a gifted cook whose sweet potato pie became legendary among family and friends. She loved sewing and needlepoint, often transforming her dining room table into a workspace covered with colorful fabrics and the latest Simplicity patterns as she crafted her own clothing. Her green thumb brought life to both indoor plants and outdoor gardens, filling her home and yard with flowers and greenery. She also loved exploring her adopted hometown of Philadelphia and the surrounding region. Alma delighted in taking her children—and often neighborhood children as well—on outings beyond their block. Trips might include visits to the airport in an era when families could get close to the runways, scenic walks through Longwood Gardens, or picnics at Valley Forge National Park. She believed the world was meant to be explored and shared. Alma’s personality was vibrant and magnetic. She was gregarious, quick-witted, and blessed with a wonderful sense of humor that left people laughing until they cried. Some might say she had a flair for the dramatic, but those who loved her knew it simply as her zest for life. She connected easily with people of all ages, especially young people, who were naturally drawn to her warmth and exuberance. Family remained the center of Alma’s world. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them, often delighting them with funny stories and playful antics. She and Robert also enjoyed traveling to visit their children and grandchildren across the country. Alma and Robert’s passion for education was passed on to their children and grandchildren. They stressed the importance of high academic achievement. In their household there was no option to forego a college education. It was made abundantly clear that education was the key to success. Throughout her life, Alma kept her arms, her heart, and her home open to others. Continuing the tradition of the Great Migration community, she welcomed relatives from her hometown into her home when they first arrived in the city, offering them a place to stay until they found their own footing. Alma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Dozier; her mother, Isabel Taylor; and her father, Garrett Hewitt. She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Retired LtCol, USMC, Reverend Robert Dozier (India); Dr. Lance Dozier (Joan); and Denise Harris, Esq. (Kedrick). She is also survived by her siblings, Jill Riley and Roger Hewitt; her grandchildren: Candice Allen (Tony), Robert Dozier, Jr. (Chrissy), India Buchanan (Isaiah), Lauren Dozier, Lance E. Dozier, Kedrick B. Harris, and Keona Harris (Cederic); her great-grandchildren: Idris Lash, Ruqaiyah Lash, Yasmine Lash, November Buchanan, Journey Buchanan, River Buchanan, Nazareth Buchanan and Dylan Dozier; her great-great-grandchildren: Idris Lash, Jr., and Derrick J. Taylor Jr; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Alma Taylor Dozier lived a full and generous life. She nurtured others through her nursing, her cooking, her laughter, and her unwavering love. Her legacy is found not only in the family she raised but also in the countless lives she brightened along the way. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Food Bank of Delaware at fbd.org.

Alma L. Dozier

June 15, 1931 - March 14, 2026