[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DOROTHY IRENE HAWKINS FRYSON

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2014

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of 
Dorothy Irene Hawkins Fryson, and to honor the many contributions to 
her family and community throughout her 102 years here with us on 
Earth.
  Dorothy was born on November 28, 1911 in Belmont, West Virginia to 
Will and Cora Ross. The family later relocated to Charleston, West 
Virginia, where Dorothy would spend most of her life. Affectionately 
known to those who loved her as ``Big Momma,'' Dorothy was renowned for 
her cooking, which included specialties such as blackberry cobbler, 
sweet potato pie, and pineapple upside down cake. Remembered for her 
hard work, Mrs. Fryson was the first black female taxi cab driver in 
Charleston and worked as a popular elevator operator for several retail 
establishments and the State Capitol. She remained active throughout 
her life; taking the mound as a pitcher in baseball games, learning to 
swim at the age of 47, driving her own car until 96 years old, and 
living independently until 2013.
  Dorothy not only left her mark on her family and all who knew her, 
but she impacted the lives of many people throughout the community who 
might not have known her at all. Everyone from the communities of 
Dunbar, Nitro, and Institute are familiar with the I-64 entrance and 
exit underpass, but not many know the interstate almost passed up their 
communities. When Dorothy heard her community would be left without 
immediate access to the new interstate, she went all the way to the 
top, writing President Johnson to express the concerns of her 
community. Sure enough, the construction plan was altered to include 
direct access to the interstate through an underpass at Institute, 
which her husband Sim affectionately referred to as ``Dot's Tunnel.'' 
Dorothy continued to give back to her community throughout her life and 
at the age of 80 volunteered to teach reading at Dunbar Elementary 
School.
  She had been a member of multiple community churches, including 
Ferguson Baptist, Young Street Baptist, and finally the Berea Seventh-
day Adventist in South Charleston, West Virginia.
  On Sunday, April 23, 2014, Dorothy Irene Hawkins Fryson passed away 
at the age of 102. She is survived by daughters Janice Corbett, Cora 
Heath and her husband Harry; sons John Hawkins and his wife Barbara, 
Sim Fryson and his wife Susan, Paul Fryson, and David Fryson and his 
wife Joy. In addition, Dorothy leaves behind a host of extended family, 
including 31 grandchildren, 61 great grandchildren, and 77 great great 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, the state of West Virginia owes Dorothy Irene Hawkins 
Fryson a debt of gratitude for her devotion to her family and 
community. It is caring people like Dorothy who make serving West 
Virginia's Second Congressional District such an honor!

                          ____________________