Doris Mae Crosby

Surrounded by family and in peaceful rest, Doris Mae Weeks Crosby left this earthly life on April 7, 2014. Her life was her witness to the Lord she loved and an example to all those around her.

It was a warm Friday on the eleventh of July 1924 when Doris came into the world. She was the third child of Jesse William and Bertha Mae Garvin Weeks. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother, Jesse William Jr. and sisters, Neva Jones and Marian Davis.

Her childhood was spent growing up out in the country in Parker's Ferry in the post-depression era, where her daddy was a land and timber owner, farmer, and carpenter. Doris spent much time outdoors with her father and caring for her grandparents, chopping wood and milking cows. She attended Eureka School and later St. Paul's High School. She was baptized in the Edisto River and became a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, where she would become the pianist for the next 62 years. She was a devoted church member who spent countless hours leading generations of children's choirs, teaching Sunday School, chaperoning youth trips, and doing whatever needed to be done. She loved to sing and was a member of the Hopewell Trio and Gospel Group, as well as the adult choir. Appropriately, it was at a church function that she met Harry Woodrow Sam Crosby and they married in May of 1941 remaining married until his death in 1982. In the tumultuous times of the WWII era they had 3 daughters: Vera, Helen and Shirley. Then in the spring of 1966, Doris and Sam welcomed a fourth daughter, Claire. Doris' love for her children was unmatched and she was never happier than when she was doing things for them, whether it would be going to ball games, making dresses, being the original mom's taxi and taking not only her girls but any child (often many children at a time) who needed a ride to a game, school or church - something she would continue until well into her eighties.

In addition to being a wife, mother, and homemaker, Doris worked outside the home as well. But by far, her favorite job was actually her retirement job when she went to work as one of the 4 year old kindergarten teachers at St. Paul's Academy - a position she would hold for 29 years. This became her third great passion in life, her family, her church and her school. Doris will be remembered for her caring and compassion, her sense of humor, her love of children and all the life's lessons (while still having a good time) she bestowed on those who knew her.

She leaves behind her family to carry on her spirit, Vera Bonnell (Tony), Helen Sires (Burnat), Shirley Golden (Andy) Claire Florio (Dave); grandchildren: Paige Spence (Harry), Tracey Stilling (Stephen), Drew Golden (Tammie), Ashley Sires (Jason), Michael Florio; 7 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, much-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and more adopted children than we can count.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, in Hopewell Baptist Church, 6869 Parkers Ferry Road, at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow in Hopewell Baptist Churchyard. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Hopewell Baptist Church . Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway.

The family wishes to thank her caregivers, Richardene, Terry and her Hospice nurse, Cynthia, for their love and care during her two year illness.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, 6869 Parkers Ferry Road, Adams Run, SC 29426.