Dorothy Lee Burks, "Dottie", was born in Hillsboro, Mississippi and grew up in Indianapolis. Indiana. She attended school in Lawrence Township and graduated from Attucks High School at the top of her class. After high school, Dottie attended Knoxville College. While at Knoxville College, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and later became a life member. While a student, Dottie was recognized as Who's Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities, Alpha Kappa Mu National Honors Society member, Panhellenic Council's Academic Award for maintaining the highest grade point average of all women pledging all sororities and National Missions Academic Scholarship. Dottie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1969.
1956 Dottie met and later married the love of her life, Cornelius White. Together they enjoyed, chocolate, music, an active social life and their dogs. Corny was a Kappa and Dottie was a member of the Indianapolis Kappa Alpha Psi Silhouette Chapter and Fortnightly Literary Book Club. Dottie was the consummate hostess and never ever used plastic or paper when entertaining. You were waited on hand and foot from the time you came in the door until you left. Both were stylish dressers and Dottie loved her beautiful hats. Dottie and Cornelius were season tickets holders at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for twenty years. Dottie was also a member of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association. They both volunteered for and monetarily supported musical arts and music education. They enjoyed fifty-eight years of marriage and music.
After college Dottie was recruited by Eli Lilly & Company. She was the first Black to be hired as a purchasing agent. After 5 years, she took an educational leave to attend Simmons College Graduate School of Management in Boston, Massachusetts. In twelve months she earned her MBA in a very rigorous program. In 1974 she returned to Indianapolis, where she continued her career at Eli Lilly. as a certified purchasing manager. Dottie was responsible for the procurement of all raw materials, chemicals and packaging materials to support pharmaceutical production of parenteral products. She was a member of the Drug Chemical Allied Trade Association and received numerous recognitions including the Outstanding Customer Service Award and the Indiana Regional Minority Purchasing Council Award. Dottie co-authored the book, The Newly Appointed Buyer, a training manual for new buyers. She initiated and led the Quality Improvement Task Team, organized the supplier/customer partnership with major suppliers and was a member of the vendor certification team.
Dottie was involved as a volunteer for United Way, Lilly Big Sister/Little Sister Program, co-leader of Lilly's Camp Fire Girls' Troop and a member of Executive Female. She served on numerous boards, including the Board of Trustees of the Indianapolis Zoological Society from 1980-1990, Chairperson of the Bennett College Board of Visitors, Advisory Board for the Bennett College Women's Leadership Institute, Board of Directors of A Healthy Start and Executive Board of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association. Dottie received numerous awards and recognitions such as William J. Richardson Friend of Bennett College Board of Visitors Service Award, Bennett College Belle Ringer Image Award, Presbyterian Women's Honorary Life Membership, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter President, Delta Legend and many more.
Dottie joined Witherspoon Presbyterian Church USA in 1977. She was ordained an Elder in 1994 and was an active Elder for two terms. She was a member of the Pastoral Search/Nominating Committee with the calling of Rev. Charles Marks, Secretary of Presbyterian Women of Witherspoon (PWOW), member of Process Group, Chair and Co-chair for the Madhatters Tea and Hat Parade, Chair of Human Resources Committee, member of the Henry Scholarship Selection Committee, Nominating Committee, Centennial Committee, Women's Day Committee and the United Negro College Fundraisers.
Dottie is survived by her brother Billy L. Burks (Cookie), sister/cousin Edna Tolliver (Floyd II), sister-in-law, Cordelia L. Burks, Nephew, Gregory Burks (Tayiika) Niece, Lisa Houston, (Carl), Lynette Nance(Phillip), Goddaughter, Teresa Tolliver, Godsons, Floyd Toliver III, Antonio Housley, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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