Doris Mae Stephenson

At a young age of 23, Doris started working in Boston, Mass, USA with a Company called Morning Star, making plastic reels for IBM, during that time Martin Luther King was killed and riots were happening all over the city, it was a scary time for a young black women to experience. After seven years there, she moved on to be employed by the “Polaroid Firm Processing Company” at the age of 30 year,where she later met her late husband Wentworth (Buster) Stephenson in 1968, and was employed there for a number of years.

In 1979, her family moved back to Digby Nova Scotia. Upon her return, she began working for the Digby Regional School Board as the first black female custodian remaining in this position until her retirement in 2008. Doris loved her job working at the school so she decided to run in an election for a position on the School Board and was greatly appreciated by staff and students during her many years there, many of the students affectively referring to her as “Mom”. She was valued by her colleagues and made many contributions to the school community.

Outside of the School, Doris was very involved in the Acaciaville Baptist Church where through her faith and work, she was installed as a “Deaconess”, a position she held for the remainder of her life. Her Christian faith was evident in all that she did and guided her relationship and view of the world.

Doris had many interests and activities that she participated in. She was a member and officer of “District 3 African Baptist Association” she provided ministerial support to the Culloden Baptist Church on a visiting basis and devoted many hours to her own congregation at the Acaciaville Baptist Church. She held the position of treasurer and Sunday School Teacher for many years.

In her private life she enjoyed making crafts, knitting, and puzzles. In recent years with the help of her friend Anne Cook, she was becoming an accomplished seamstress and quilter. Also she very much looked forward to her weekly exercise session with the ladies at the Hill Grove Baptist Church. She took great pride in organizing and coordinating the Annual Harvest Supper and the Summer Strawberry Luncheon at Acaciaville Baptist Church.

Doris will always be remembered for her strength as a leader in her community, her warmth, her smile and willingness to help anyone in whatever way she could. She treasured her family and friends, she loved sports an avid follower both American and Canadian politics. May she rest in peace with the Lord.

Survived by her children, Thane, Murray, Francis (Frankie), Weldon (Jr.), Glenda, Barbara, Lena,and her brother Edward Miller. Grandchildren: Margo, Aaron, Brandon, Lauren, Daeshawn, Ariana, Shaniece, Bryant, Deon, Shawn, Kayla, Deon Miller, Jaylen, Marc, Aldean, Jasmine, Jenna, Chauncey, Aubree and Adonis. 11 Great-Grandchildren: and several nieces and nephews. Doris was predeceased by her father, John Miller; mother, Francis Lynch, husband, Wentworth Stephenson; sisters, Greta Johnson, Edith Cromwell, Leona Johnson, and brother, Sidney Miller.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm from Jayne’s Funeral Home, Digby. Funeral service will be held at the Acaciaville Baptist Church at 2:30pm on Saturday, July 2, 2022. Pastor Glenn Gray officiating, assisted Pastor Roy Bertaux and Pastor .00000 with burial at Maplewood Cemetery.

Donations Can be made by via e-transfer using email address as follows: [email protected] (PLEASE WRITE IN COMMENTS: DONATION ON BEHALF OF DORIS STEPHENSON) or by cheque to Acaciaville Baptist Church Assistance Treasurer (Acaciaville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 275, Digby, N.S, B0V-1A0 with written comments: Donation on behalf of Doris Stephenson. Pictures/Videos located on Jayne’s Funeral Home Website. Online Condolences may be made to www.jaynesfuneralhome.com