Sheila Martin Dobbins

GOD called the Phenomenal Sheila “Sissy” Martin Dobbins, born on February 17, 1947 in Washington, DC to the late William Myers Martin (“Poppy”) and Eurselene Joyce Martin (“Nana”) home on Monday, May 8, 2023 after being ill for a period. 

Sheila was the oldest of four children, all girls affectionately known as those “Martin Girls” born to William and Eurselene.  She loved and cherished her sisters dearly, two of whom preceded her in death.

Sheila accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior, as a child growing up in her family church, Zion Baptist located in Washington, DC, under the leadership of the late Reverend Carlton Veazey.  While at Zion, she joined the Senior Choir and was a dedicated member for over 50 years.  During her time with the choir, Sheila faithfully served as the President for many years.  Sheila loved the Senior Choir! 

Sheila, a lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, received her early education in the Washington, DC Public School System.  She graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1965.  As a lifetime “Colt”, she continued to support the high school by participating on the Calvin Coolidge Alumni Association.  She went on to pursue her formal education at the Washington DC Teachers College, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education and was named one of the colleges “Who’s Who among College Students”.  While at the DC Teachers College, Sheila pledged in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Iota Chapter, and began her lifelong commitment to community and service as an active member in both the Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter (MCAC) as President from1997-2001 and as President of the MCAC Foundation, from 1998-1999 and 2007-2013.  Even when Sheila relocated to Fredericksburg, VA she became a member of the Fredericksburg Alumnae Chapter.  Sheila continued her education receiving both her Master’s degree in School Counseling and her Doctorate degree (Ph.D) in Educational Administration with a minor in Higher Education, Student Personnel, and African American History from The American University, Washington DC.  As a part of Sheila’s educational training, she completed the Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC.  Sheila was involved in many facets of her community.  She mentored and worked with gang-involved youth in Montgomery County, Maryland providing them with the tools to attain academic achievement, encouraging positive outcomes towards a better life.  Sheila was a volunteer for AFRICARE, at the Montgomery County General Hospital, and Inter-agency Coordination Board, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Sheila was a passionate educator in the Montgomery County School system where she retired as a well-known Educator.  Dr. Dobbins, as many of her students and peers lovingly called her, began her career in education as a Guidance Counselor and went on to become a High School Principal, the head of the Guidance Department, and the Director of Alternative Programs.  All within the Montgomery County Public School System. 

Sheila received numerous recognitions to include; the Advanced Placement Recognition Award conferred by the Middle States Regional Assembly of the College Board, a Governor’s Citation presented by Governor Parris Glendening for instructional leadership in the state of Maryland, and the Principal of the Year Award presented by the ESOL/Bilingual Advisory Committee (MCPS) in recognition of outstanding leadership and support of the ESOL/Bilingual program.

Sheila was a part of many affiliations and organizations.  Those include the NAACP, Montgomery County Branch, EMANONS, Inc., National Council Negro Women (NCNW), National Political Women’s Club (Silver Spring Chapter), Calvin Coolidge High School Alumnae Association, and the Metropolitan Women’s Investment Club.  She volunteered on the Barack Obama for President campaigns and the Interagency Coordinating Board (JCB), Montgomery County, MD.

Sheila was known as the family Matriarch after the passing of her Mother and was dedicated to instilling the importance the family to each generation.  As experienced by her nieces and nephews, when “Sissy” spoke, everyone listened!  She so affectionately leaves to cherish her most precious memories a loving sister, Judy A. Curvan, her beloved nieces and nephews, Mark Martin (Angelic), Michele Hawes (Paul), Tolliver Quaco, D’nai Evans (William), Antoinese Curvan, and Alysia Curvan and a host of grand and great grand nieces and nephews that loved her immensely.  She will now join her parents resting in Paradise, William Myers Martin, Eurselene Joyce Martin and her sisters Debra Jean Quaco and Patricia Yvonne Martin Gittings.

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