Dolores Leffall

Dolores C. Leffall of Washington, DC and Fort Pierce, FL passed on January 11, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Dolores was born in Orlando, FL, grew up in Quincy, FL, and received a B.A. in sociology from Florida A & M College, a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University, and a PhD in library and information sciences from Rutgers University. She served as a professional librarian and information science specialist and worked for, among others, the District of Columbia Public School System, the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University (where she was Chief Librarian), Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, Clark University in Atlanta, GA, and Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce, FL, as well as embassy libraries and as a research librarian for many firms and organizations.

She was a Book Review Editor for the Journal of Education. Her articles about Mary McLeod Bethune appeared in the Journal of Negro Education, and she authored biographical sketches for the Dictionary of American Negro Biography, edited by Dr. Rayford Logan and Dr. Michael Winston. Many of her bibliographies were published individually and in periodicals, including Black Churches and Black English.

Travel was a passion, and she visited Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The trips were for research in her field and other areas as well as for pleasure: a scientific dig in Argentina, literature comparison (period of 1800s) between the East and West in Japan and China, and art work in Russia. US national parks were also a favorite destination.

Dolores was active in many organizations: the American Library Association, state and local library organizations, Special Libraries, the Association for Negro Life and History, and the National Urban League. She was a life member of the FAMU Alumni Association, the National Council of Negro Women, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Her father, LaSalle D. Leffall Sr., taught at Florida A&M College and later served as principal of Stevens High School on Quincy, FL. Her mother, Martha J. Leffall, taught in the Quincy, FL public school system.

In 1997, her brother, Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., his wife, Ruth McWilliams Leffall, and Dolores C. Leffall donated funds to be used for scholarships to Florida A&M University in honor of LaSalle and Martha Leffall. At the time, it was the largest donation by an alumnus.

Quincy has honored Dr. Leffall with LaSalle Leffall Drive, and a mural featuring him and other physicians on Adams Street.

Dolores is survived by her nephew, LaSalle D. Leffall III, and her sister-in-law, Ruth McWilliams Leffall, both of Washington, DC.

Due to the current state of COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the family of Ms. Dolores C. Leffall has made provisions for those who are unable to attend the Homegoing Celebration Services to live stream using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/b-DMwjbX5_xTri7JMtXlNZ4Tp1y1Um-kV0BEt-3O9ytpSDV5gYJ0hoEkeg2_g0AY.j_L-9Uw9lLwYVnXq

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