Irene Olinda Dawson

Iren O’Linda Dolberry Dawson (Shug, Sugar Baby)

Irene O’Linda Dolberry was born to Irene O’Dell Haskins Dolberry and James Albert Dolberry, Jr. on Augst 2, 1949 in Norfolk, VA. She (Shug) is the second of ten children.

Irene graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1967. She grew up in the church under the leadership of an aunt, Reverend Rosa Fisher Barnes of the New Rising Sun Holiness Church in Norfolk, VA. Shug accepted Christ at an early age along with her siblings. She attended Strayer Business College in Baltimore, MD. Irene held several secretarial positions until she was employed by the Baltimore City Housing Authority. She worked there from 1972 to 2013 until her retirement. Irene was introduced to Charlie Dawson by a very special friend, Bernice Harrison Thomas. Irene and Charlie Dawson were married August 9, 1975. Irene loved to dance and listen to old school music, for example Purple Rain by Prince, What’s goin’ on by Marvin Gaye and Dancing in the Streets by Marth and the Vandellas. Irene loved going to the casinos, movies, and the Red Lobster restaurant. She attended line dance classes with her sister Lorraine. She could really “cut the floor” with the electric slide and the wobble. Irene and Lorraine loved hand dancing together with door knobs and brooms. Shug made it a point to announce to everybody “Do not call her while she was watching the Baltimore Ravens football team.” Irene loved soap operas: the Young and the Restless and the Bold and the Beautiful. In addition, she loved watching all television award shows. Irene really loved good food. She would say “I don’t eat any body’s meatloaf, but my sister Lorraine’s and whatever else she cooks.” Irene departed this life after a battle with Leukemia at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She was proceeded in death by her son Donald Donnell Dolberry, her father, James Albert Dolberry Jr., and her brother, James Maurice” Buck” Dolberry.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving and devoted husband Charlie Dawson, her daughter Cheryl Dolberry of Baltimore, MD, her mother Irene O’Dell Haskins Dolberry Norfolk, VA, Lorraine Dolberry Oliver of Baltimore, MD, Rita Dolberry-Burke {U.S. Army Major (Retired) Kerry L. Burke} of Chester, VA., Ruby Dolberry of Norfolk, VA., Bertha K. Dolberry-Deans of Virginia Beach, VA., {U.S. Army SFC (Retired) Frank A. Dolberry} of Norfolk, VA., Kenneth Tyrone Dolberry of Norfolk, VA., U.S. Army LTC (Retired) Michael D. Dolberry (Tara) of Prince George, VA., Jacqueline Dolberry of Virginia Beach, VA. One aunt Alma Lee Phillips of Lake Oswego, Oregon., one granddaughter Kiara Davis of Baltimore, MD., and two great granddaughters Tori and Logan McClaine, host of relatives and friends. A special thanks to Bernice Harrison Thomas of Baltimore, MD.

I fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7.