Posted on 12/17/2019
Doris "Dee" Elaine Hargrove, known to friends and family as "Dee", passed away on December 9, 2019, after a lengthy illness. Doris is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years, Charles Hargrove; her precious children, Lisa Tolliver and Robert Tolliver II (Annette); her grandsons, Robert Tolliver III (Sofia) and Daniel Tolliver; her great-grandsons, Jaxson Tolliver, Dominick Tolliver, and Robert Tolliver IV; her sisters-in-law, Bernice Hutchings and Chien T. Hutchings; her mother-in-law, Ruby Hargrove; her sisters-in-law, Tamara Barros and J'melle Hargrove; and aunts, uncles, a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Oscar Hutchings and Veola Sledd Hutchings, and eight siblings: Oscar II, Violet, Arthur, Marjorie, Vivienne, Kenneth, Gerald, and Montier. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Doris graduated from Hunter College with a B.A. in English and a minor in Romance Languages. She went on to earn an M.S. in Education and Reading, an M.S. in Counseling, and a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in School Counseling and Development at Hofstra University, and ended her formal education with Professional Diploma in School District Supervision and Administration from C.W. Post/Long Island University. She discovered early on, when she began her career in the New York City Public School System, however, that degrees do not an educator make, and many tears of frustration were shed before she came to understand that students don't care about the "knowledge" that you're attempting to thrust at them until they know that you care first and foremost about THEM! Throughout her long career in education--whether (for example) as a master teacher of English, French, Spanish, and Reading, guidance counselor, Director of Student Services, assistant principal, debate team coach, counselor for minority programs, or Inroads Coordinator, and whether working in suburbia or in low income housing--she vowed to establish a classroom (office, venue, etc.) where students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or socio-economic status, would feel secure and welcome to enjoy a stimulating, motivating learning environment where patience and acceptance dominated. That same guiding principle prevailed in Doris' volunteer work, such as Club Advisor for Future Teachers of America, sponsor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, board member with Habitat for Humanity, Patient Ombudsman in Orlando, Florida hospitals, and certified County Court and Circuit Court Family Mediator in Orange County and Brevard County, Florida. As a mediator, she took exceptional pleasure in helping to motivate troubled parties to work cooperatively toward resolving their disputes in a self-empowering manner. Doris felt privileged to enjoy this role over a period of 20+ years. Throughout her lifetime, Doris received numerous awards and honorable recognitions for outstanding scholarship, for meritorious service to her school and community, and for professional excellence. To name just a few, she received: honors scholarships for academic excellence while attending John Adams High School as well as awards from the School Service League "for meritorious service to the school"; an award from the American Association of Teachers of French; an award from the Coalition of Uniondale Black Professionals for "faithful and caring service to the students and the community of Uniondale"; and a "Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of valuable volunteer services as a mediator" from the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Apopka High School honored her with a luncheon and award as Teacher of the Month, and gifted students whom Doris taught, who comprised the top 5% of students and were named to the Who's Who Among American High School Students or the National Dean's List, nominated her as one of the teachers who have had the greatest influence on their lives, which resulted in Doris' inclusion in the second edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers . Doris did not subscribe to an "all work, no play" philosophy, and encouraged her family and friends to seize the moment and enjoy life. Her marriage to her beloved husband, Charles, evoked much by way of admiration, envy, curiosity, and incredulity. They worked as a team, admired and respected one another, played and enjoyed times of fun much like children, and shared a similar value and Christian belief system. Their common wanderlust took them to places far and near--much of the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and much, much more. She often remarked that she had been blessed with the best God had to offer a faithful, godly husband; loving, respectful children; kind, considerate family and friends; the best doctors; and memories of a rewarding career!! Some little-known facts: By age 5, Doris knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her first such assignment was as a teenager, teaching Sunday school at Brooks Memorial Methodist Church in Jamaica, NY. In the summer of 1952, Doris worked in Washington, D.C. as a GS3 for the Coast Guard and as a volunteer for the USO. After moving to Florida, a talent agent spotted Doris and signed her as an actor and model, after which she appeared in multiple television commercials. Doris' love will light the way; her memory will be forever with us. On Sunday, December 15, 2019, a small, private memorial service will be held at Faith "Viera" Lutheran Church in Rockledge, Florida, at 2:00 p.m. On Friday, April 17, 2020, a memorial service will be held at the United States Naval Academy (" USNA") Chapel in Annapolis, MD, at 10:00 a.m., followed by an inurnment ceremony at the USNA Cemetery and Columbarium, at 11:00 a.m., and by a repast at the Naval Academy Club, at 11:30 a.m. For the USNA services, the family will distribute an invitation requesting recipients to RSVP, along with contact information, tips, and policies for visitors to the USNA.
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