Jacqueline Denine Dolberry

October 9, 1966-July 6, 2026

“Called by many the most dominant player in Hampton University history, male or female, there is no questioning of the fact that Jackie Dolberry was simply awesome on the hardwood and a sheer delight to watch.”

On Monday, July 6, 2026, God called our beloved Jacqueline Denine Dolberry, to her heavenly home. She was born on October 6, 1966, in the Campostella section of Norfolk, Va to James Albert Dolberry, Jr (Halifax County, Scottland Neck, NC) and Irene O’Dell Haskins Dolberry (Jerusalem Berlin, Southampton County, VA). Jackie attended her family church, New Rising Sun Holiness Church, during her early years in Campostella.

Jackie was educated at Bowling Park Elementary School, St. Mary’s Academy and Norfolk Catholic High School. She graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School in 1985. Jackie matriculated to Hampton University where she majored in Speech Pathology.

During her formative years Jackie played ball on the Bowling Park Recreation Center basketball court with her four brothers and neighborhood friends. In the beginning James and Irene only allowed three people to coach Jackie. These three were the foundation to her many accomplishments on the basketball court and in the community. Everybody in Norfolk, VA knew that Jackie’s parents trusted only Robert Phelps, William Bill Tyree and Robert Walker. James Albert Dolberry, Jr. didn’t trust many men around his 6 daughters, especially, the youngest daughter, Jackie.

Trust is not given or assumed. It was earned in the eyes of James and Irene. Robert Phelps, William Bill Tyree and Robert Walker earned that trust. The Dolberry family is thankful, grateful and blessed that these three mentors guided Jackie with integrity, character and trust. From the ages of 7-14 years old, her mentors taught her grit, resilience, courage and leadership. These three protected her like she was their own daughter. This contributed to a marvelous upbringing in the city of Norfolk.

Jackie was predeceased by her mother, Irene O’Dell Haskins Dolberry, father, James Albert Dolberry, Jr, sister- Irene O’Linda Dawson (Charles- Baltimore, MD) and brother James Maurice Dolberry. Jackie leaves to cherish her memories Lorraine Dolberry-Oliver of Baltimore, MD (the late Vernon L. Oliver of Baltimore), Rita A. Dolberry-Burke (US Army Major (Retired) Kerry L. Burke of Chester, VA, Ruby L. Dolberry of Norfolk, VA, Bertha Kay Dolberry-Deans of Virginia Beach, VA, US Army SFC (Retired) Frank A. Dolberry of Norfolk, VA, Kenneth Tyrone Dolberry of Norfolk, VA, U.S. Army LTC (Retired) Michael D. Dolberry (Tara) of Prince George, VA, one aunt Alma Lee Phillips of Lake Oswego, Oregon: cousins, nieces, nephews, host of friends, colleagues and sports fans.

Jackie excelled in basketball at Norfolk Catholic High School where she gained an All-American honor and Division II Player of the Year honors. She was also on the Kodak All American team. She had a celebrated career at Hampton University which ended in her being inducted into the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame. The Hampton Hall of Fame induction write-up lists all her many accomplishments:

“At 6-1, Dolberry could play every position on the floor, and during her career she amassed 2,727 career points during an illustrious career that spanned from 1985-1989. The points total is the most points ever scored by a Hampton female student-athlete on the basketball court. At the time of her graduation, her career point total was the most points ever scored by a women’s basketball player in Virginia.

A four-time All-CIAA selection and the winner of three consecutive CIAA women’s basketball player-of-the-year trophies, Dolberry helped Hampton build its reputation as one of the top CIAA and NCAA national hoops powers. During the time she donned the blue and white of HU, the Lady Pirates accumulated season records of 26-6 in 1985-86, 30-2 in 1986-87, 33-1 in 1987-88 and 21-9 in 1988-89. The 33-1 mark during her junior year was punctuated by the Lady Pirates capturing the NCAA Division II national championship where she was named MVP of the tournament scoring 27 points in the 65-48 win over West Texas State on March 26, 1988. Dolberry sits at or near the top of practically every Hampton career scoring category, including highest scoring average (21.6 ppg), most field goals made (1,043), most three-pointers made (274) and best three-point field goal percentage (.371). She also ranks ninth in best field goal percentage (.483). She was named to the freshman All-American team by the American Women’s Sports Foundation (AWSF) and the Black College Sports Information Directors Association (BCSIDA). As sophomore in 1986-87, she was crowned Kodak All-American and BCSIDA national player-of-the-year. And, as a junior in 1987-88, she again was named first team All-American by BCSIDA and earned Kodak All-American honors.”

After studying at Hampton, she pursued a career to play basketball with Fe’mina Lausanne in Switzerland. Upon returning to the States, she worked for various organizations and with Norfolk City Parks and Recreation. During this time working with Norfolk City Parks and Recreation, she coached several sports including basketball and volleyball. In addition to coaching, she also encouraged the youth to always tap into their creativity through various mediums such as art, crafts and drawing. She also encouraged them to maintain a belief in themselves to constantly stay motivated to achieve their best. She was also very fond of Double Dutch competitions.

In addition to her contributions on and off the court, Jackie was an avid reader who had a love for music. Her eclectic taste in music was truly reflective of her creative and bold spirit. Jackie truly loved her family, including all her nieces, nephews and cousins who all held a very special place in her heart.