Dorothy Jean (Johnson) Sizemore

Mrs. Dorothy Jean (Johnson) Sizemore died in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 4, 2023 at the age of 90. Dorothy is survived by her four children: Sherry Sizemore (Daniel Gerstenhaber) of New Jersey, Cynthia Boyd (Tom) of Arkansas, Burlan Sizemore, III of Pennsylvania, and Rebecca Brandom (Fred) of Missouri; Eight grandchildren: Jessica Blomquist (Peter) of Arkansas, Isaac Boyd (Angie) of California, Joshua Boyd (Natalie) of Tennessee, Stephanie Gerstenhaber (Bill Capella), Brittany Gerstik (Kristin), both of New Jersey, Burlan "B.A." Sizemore, IV of Washington, Rachael Evans, Daniel Evans, both of North Carolina; And eleven great grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Burlan "B.A." Sizemore, Jr. and her parents, Lloyd E. Johnson and Lorene E. (Walker) Johnson.

Dorothy was born on September 19, 1932 in Kansas City, Kansas to Lloyd and Lorene Johnson. She graduated from William Jewell College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. In 1962, she graduated from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky with a Master of Arts in Education.

In 1954, Dorothy married her college sweetheart, Burlan "B.A." Sizemore, Jr. She began her career in education by teaching in a one room schoolhouse. After teaching first grade in Georgetown, Kentucky, Dorothy and her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1968. While there, she served as a Director of Head Start in Liberty, Missouri and as the Director of the Childcare Center at Englewood Baptist Church in Gladstone, Missouri.

With great courage and spirit of adventure B.A. and Dorothy rented out their Kansas City home and took their family of 6 around the world with a 10 month sabbatical stay in Taipei, Taiwan. While B.A. had the big ideas and set the itinerary, it was Dorothy who made flight reservations and researched and reserved places to stay in the many countries they visited. She taught kindergarten while in Taipei. This world experience dramatically shaped the lives of their children

Dorothy was a woman of incredible strength and courage. Approximately a year and a half after this trip,

B.A. was killed in a car crash leaving Dorothy with children ages 20, 17,16 and 11. Dorothy grieved intensely but dedicated herself to being both parents to her children. Two years later, she accepted the position of Dean of Women at Wingate College in North Carolina. From there she moved to Raleigh to become Dean of Students at Meredith College.

Dorothy made this rise in her career at a time when it was di?cult for women to do so and while pouring much of her energy into creating a family life for her children. She arranged family reunions regularly for years providing ample and joyful opportunities for her grown children to see each other and for her grandchildren to get to know each other.

Her legacy is the example she set of intense love, courage and strength for her four children, eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held in the coming weeks at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Gladstone, Missouri.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the Sizemore family.