Doris M. Washington

Doris Mae Washington, 86, of Cutler, died at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at Mulberry Health & Retirement Community.

On Sept. 1, 1921, Russell and Lula Heath Jackson gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and Doris Mae breathed in her soul from the Master. She was the second of five girls, all with one younger brother. It was during the Depression and times were rugged. At age 13, she lost her mother, which led to the separation of the children. Doris managed to keep in touch with her siblings and in later years, she was able to reunite with her brother. The children maintained good relationships throughout their lives.

At the age of 19, on Sept. 1, 1940, Doris became the beautiful bride of Harold Edwin Washington. Throughout their lives they were blessed with four lovely daughters, nine grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.

On Sept. 19, 1979, Harold passed on, leaving Doris with much time on her hands. She joined the Cutler Presbyterian Church and spent many hours serving the Lord with her singing, sewing, and cooking.

Doris was a retired beautician. She was a member of the Flora Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron four times, banquet chairman for several years, and Grand Representative to North Dakota for one year. She was also an active member in OES Choir, Cutler Music Club, Carroll County Chorus, Carroll County Art Club, and the 49ers Extension Homemakers Club.

She was a member of Rossville Presbyterian Church.

After visiting Paradise Park in McAllen, Texas, with her cousin, Doris was hooked. She stayed briefly at first, but then became a full resident. She loved the weather, flowers, and being a member of the McAllen Presbyterian Church.

She was an avid quilter, painter and poet. She loved to work puzzles, play cards and dominoes. She always made time for family and friends.

When her health failed, she came home to be with her family. When her time came, she took the Master's hand and went off into the sunset, trusting Him to care for the soul he had given her at birth.

Surviving are four daughters and their husbands, Connie and Marvin Jervis, Phylis and Keith Wilson and Wanda and Jerry Carter, all of Cutler, and JoAnn and Robert Davis of Monticello; one brother, Robert Keith Mahan of Jamestown, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends, including Robert Powell of Paradise Park.

She was preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Case, Alice Land, Margaret Troyer and Clara Hartman, and two grandsons, David Wilson and Dustin Davis.

Her prayer was that her daughters will always have unity.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Neptune Funeral Home, Burlington, with Robert B. McAuley officiating. Burial was at Ball Hill Cemetery near Cutler.