Dorothy Jean "Jean" Pledger

Dorothy Jean Pledger, a resident of Norfolk, VA, went home to be with the Lord after a long battle with sickness on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the age of 84 in Sentara Leigh Hospital.

Named after her dear aunt, Dorothy Graham, she leaves to cherish her memory her children; Andrecia Freeman Vespa, LaJean Bloodworth, Doretta (Ivan) Ray, Von Pledger, Jr., Nathaniel Pledger, and Michael Pledger; her siblings, Barbara Carrington, Caroline Freeman, Thomas Freeman, Minnie Freeman-Mitchell, Shepherd Freeman, Robert Freeman, Priscilla Redman and Barry Freeman; 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and loved ones. She was predeceased by her husband, Avon Clinton Pledger; her grandparents, Shepherd and Alice Wilson; her parents, Robert and Icerleen Freeman; her brother James Freeman; her sisters, Donna Lynn White, Mary Lou Smith, and Hilda Gray Moore; and her granddaughter, Allura Monae Pledger.

Known as "Jean", she was born Dorothy Jean Freeman in Kinston, NC, on June 4, 1941, to Robert and Icerleen Freeman. She was the 3rd child of 13 born. Dorothy was always a hard worker. Alongside her Carolina family members, she worked the tobacco fields of Kinston, NC, as a child. Her parents moved the family from Kinston to Norfolk, VA, in 1951. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School and attending Norfolk State University, she worked in New York and later returned to Norfolk, working as a secretary and a court stenographer. Dorothy also attended Albermarle Community College and became a home healthcare worker in her husband's hometown of Manteo, NC. Dorothy even went to Mechanics School, stating she was going to repair her own vehicle. On July 22, 1965, she married Avon Clinton Pledger, a sailor in the Navy, and together they had five children.

Jean's greatest love was Jesus and then family. She would read her bible daily and would memorize bible chapters word for word. Using the bible to teach children to read, she once stated about one child, "If he can read the bible, he can read anything." Jean loved to sing and dance. She loved working with her hands and would sew her children's clothing. She loved running and bike-riding. She wrote down book after book of shorthand notes. Anything she did not want anyone to read, she wrote in shorthand. "To God Be the Glory."