Dorothy Elaine Williams Stepp passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 27, 2021 after a long illness. She was at peace, surrounded by her three loving daughters and family members. She was a teacher and worked for the Clark County School District for 35 years. Dorothy was a 54-year resident of Nevada.
Dorothy was born on November 5, 1943 in West Monroe, Louisiana. She was affectionately known as “Dot” to her family and friends. After graduating from Boley High School in West Monroe, Louisiana, she began her college education at Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana.
In the 1960s Dorothy relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada to seek new opportunities and to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She met and married Silas Stepp Jr. and to this union three children were born, Thalia, Chareece and Silvia.
In 1967, Dorothy began her career with CCSD as a Media Clerk at Las Vegas High School. There she began the first black high school drill team, “The Raphalettes” which set the tone for future drill teams in Las Vegas. She later became a Family Aide in 1969 and worked at several schools. In 1975 she began her first year as a teacher at Lois Craig Elementary School. Her philosophy of “Making the child feel good inside will ultimately reap its own rewards on the outside” proved to be the key to her students’ success.
The majority of her teaching career was spent at Mabel Hoggard Elementary School where she worked from 1979-1993. She served as Student Council Advisor, and was a tutor for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after-school tutorial program. Her dedication and commitment helped the school earn two consecutive first place trophies in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. She was known as being stern but loving and left a lasting impression on her students. She also taught two of her three daughters. Dorothy went on to teach at H.P. Fitzgerald Elementary School, Robert O. Gibson Middle School and Charles I. West Middle School.
Dorothy retired from the school district in 2003 after 35 years of service. In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Dorothy was also a devout Christian and was a faithful servant at her church, First AME, until her illness.
Dorothy was an active voice in the community and received many accolades and awards throughout her life. She was nominated for the Walt Disney’s Teacher of the Year Award and received a Proclamation from the Mayor and Las Vegas City Council declaring May 30, 2003 “Dorothy Stepp Day,” for her many contributions. She was a charter member of the Las Vegas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
The legacy of Dorothy’s kind spirit and devotion to her family and educating children will forever be treasured. She will be remembered for faith, compassion, commitment to her family and her incredible sense of humor. She will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Silas Stepp, Jr., her parents, Emmitt Williams Sr. and Lillie Mae Williams; her brothers Samuel Williams, Carey Williams, Anthony Williams, and James Williams; and her sisters Leola Gibson, Reola Jackson and Delores Myles. She leaves to cherish her beautiful memory, her devoted daughters, Thalia Scott and husband Linzy O. Scott,III of Atlanta, Georgia, Chareece Sheppard, and Silvia Stepp; her grandchildren, Linzy Scott IV, Kaitlin Scott, William Scott, Zachary Scott, Sirius Sheppard and Tayo Mokuolu; her brothers Emmitt Williams, Jr. (West Monroe, LA), Vernon Williams, Marvin Williams and Dennis Williams; her sisters Alvino Elder, Alfreda Chapman and Wanda Babero of Las Vegas, Nevada; many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and a host of friends and church family.
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