Doris A. Worrell

Doris Ann Harris Worrell was born June 25, 1923 in Atlantic City, NJ and raised in Harlem, NY, the only child of Clarence and Daonese Harris. In her youth, while she loved to partake in all that New York had to offer, she spent most of her summers as many children on the East Coast did, "down south" in Richmond, VA. Both her parents had relatives there, but as a spoiled only grandchild, she spent most of her time with "Grandma Lou", her father's mother. She often commented on her wonderful memories of time spent there with cousins, aunts, uncles, and her best and oldest friend, Emily Burke. Doris was a member of Abyssinian Baptist Church and at age 13 was baptized by Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. Upon graduation from high school, she began a career with retailer Lord and Taylor as a seamstress in their alterations department. Sewing was her passion and it served her well as she was able to make most of her own clothes. She enjoyed going to the theater, traveling, listening to the big bands of the day, and spending time with her mother, who had become a widow when Doris was 11 years old. Doris was later introduced by her cousin Collier "Jimmy" Johnson to Charles Worrell, with whom he'd served in WWII. They were married in 1954 in one of the most lavish weddings the Richmond community had seen at the time. Doris often referred to it as "Grandma Lou's wedding, not mine". In 1958 they welcomed their son, Charles Worrell, Jr. Their years together and as a family were spent traveling to many of the Postal Union conventions across the country, where "Big Charlie" always had an active role. In retirement, when both were in their sixties and Charles Jr. had moved away to pursue his education, they joined a competitive synchronized swim team, the Harlem Honeys and Bears, traveling mostly to areas in NY state and almost always coming in 1st place! One of her proudest moments was the day she became a grandmother to Charli Christina Worrell, born March 2, 1996, the light of her life. When introduced to her for the first time when she was 5 months old on a visit to NY, she immediately opened the door and took her in her arms without speaking a word to the travel weary parents. The bond was immediate; over time she would spend precious time with her and pass down her love of arts and crafts when she, Charlie, and her mother moved to Texas in 1999 to be closer to her son family. Everyone who met her was immediately struck by her sweet nature, soft spoken, and nurturing way. Doris was a small framed woman with a big heart who loved her family and friends dearly. She was lovingly cared for in her son's home until her passing on April 5, 2014. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Worrell, parents Clarence and Daonese Harris, and grandparents Joe and Louise Harris and Lang and Annie Christian Johnson. Doris Worrell is survived by her son, Charles A. Worrell, Jr., daughter-in-law, Tami Barnes Worrell, granddaughter, Charli C. Worrell, (Pearland, TX), Stepson, Bruce Richardson (Battle Creek, MI), cousins Yvonne Hatchett (Horse Cave, KY), Robnette Allen , Crystal Johnson Tucker, Sharon Holmes, (Richmond, VA), Gloria Dixon (NY, NY), nephew, Gary Worrell, niece, Bonnie Horton, (Bronx, NY) and great nephews Andre Horton (Bronx, NY/Houston, TX), Austin Horton (Bronx, NY), Damon Worrell (Union, NJ), Dawn Worrell (New Rochelle, NY) and many more nieces, nephews and cousins. She will also be greatly missed by special friends/family Michael Cooper and Janice Morrow of Pearland, TX and their families, with whom she shared many special events and holidays over the years. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.