Dorothy M. (Brown) Press

With the mercy and peace for which she always prayed and knew would be granted, Jesus came on the glorious morning of October 10, 2012 and escorted His daughter, Dorothy, home. Born on May 20, 1918 in baltimore, she was the second of ten children of George and Sarah Jane Brown. She attended St. Barnabas Catholic School and was a graduate of Douglass High School in 1936.

"Dottie" or "button," as he called her, married the only man she ever loved, Vernon C. Press on June 29, 1940, the 25th wedding anniversary of her parents. From this union they were blessed with six children: Patricia, Michael, Kathleen, Janice, Linda and Carole.

Dorothy was employed for a short time as a waitress at the Spot Restaurant, and as a cashier at J.J. Brills and Tommy Tucker stores until vernon graduated from Coppin Normal School (now Coppin State University). Her greatest pleasures and accomplishments came from being a mother, homemaker, spiritual leader and an active member of St. Edward Catholic Church.

As a member of the church she served as Prefect of the Lady's Sodality and head of the Alter Guild; formed the Children's Bowling League and Children's and Adult Bible Study Groups and initiated and single-handedly held a "Nearly New" sale once a month to provide clothing to the needy in the area. Dorothy and Vernon were proud recipients of the "Trailblazers Award" as two of the first African-American members of St. Edward Church.

"Granny," as her grandchildren and even her children affectionately came to call her, left to cherish her memory: her adoring and devoted husband, six children, two sons-in-law, three sisters, two brothers, two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, twelve grandchildren and their spouses, sixteen great-grandchildren and many other family and friends. Her spirit is  and will be with us always. She personified love. Her heart is content.

A Catholic Mass and Funeral was held on Friday, October 19, 2012 at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church, with Father Evade Shah officiating.

On the morning of March 30, 2013 Vernon Castle Press went peacefully to be with his Lord. Born April 1, 1919, in Baltimore, he was the fourth child of Albert Dean Press and Nellie Bouldin Press.

Vernon was educated in the G=Baltimore City Public School System and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1936 as a member of the National Honor Society. He graduated from Coppin Normal School in 1938 and later attended Morgan State College. After marrying the love of his life, Dorothy May Brown, on June 29, 1940, they were blessed with six children: Patricia, Michael, Kathleen, Janice, Linda, and Carole.

Early in the marriage, Vernon worked for the Crown, Cork & Seal Company and later taught in the Baltimore Public School System until being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. After a stellar performance in basic training, his commanding officer referred him to, and he attended, Officer Candidate School at Fort Lee, Virginia. Vernon served during World War II, including in the Philippines, as part of the Quartermaster Corps. When the war ended he was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant and returned to his family in Baltimore. He resumed teaching and worked part-time in the evenings as a waiter at Dubner's and Dante's restaurants. Vernon remained a committed  and revered teacher until retiring in 1975. He continued to be engaged by working for a time at the Stiff Silver Company and as a proctor for the Maryland Bar Exam.

In 1952, Vernon and Dorothy became members of St. Edward Roman Catholic Church and received the prestigious "Trailblazers Award" as two of the first African-American members. Vernon also served as a Lay minister, Altar server, and Lector. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and Knights of Peter Claver until his death. Aside from church-affiliated organizations, he was a member of the American Legion Robert H. Brooks Post #165, Frederick Douglass Alumni Association and the NAACP.

Vernon was known for his beautiful singing and speaking voice. He and Dorothy often could be heard singing together. The chamber music room at the John Cali School of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey was named The Vernon and Dorothy Press Chamber Music Room in 2010. Vernon was known for his rousing conversations, compassion, generosity and voracious thirst for knowledge, but it was his humor and keen wit that was his life's medicine. Everyone who knew him loved and admired him.

In death, as in life, Vernon and Dorothy both demonstrated their unselfishness by donating their bodies for medical research. Affectionately known as "Mickey," "Daddy," "Grandfather," Grandpa," and most often "Dewy" by his loved ones, Vernon left to celebrate his life: six children, two sons-in-law, one brother, Joseph, five sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, twelve grandchildren and their spouses, sixteen great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends. 

Strong, determined, and loving is how he will forever be remembered.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the St. Edward Roman Catholic Church.