Doris Lorraine Avrea

Vinsant Cook and Emmitt Cook. She grew up near Lake Cliff Park in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, surrounded by family and friends. Doris enjoyed the area all the way throughout her high school years at Adamson, graduating in 1941. She was very active in leading many organizations at school, as well as being very sweet along the way, as she was voted "Best All-Round Senior Girl". She knew Jay Avrea, also at Adamson, through her older sister, Embelyne (Cookie). Doris' courtship with Jay began after high school and they married in 1943. Jay was a professional baseball player with the Cincinnati Redlegs (Reds) organization which took them away from Dallas. Their first son, Shawn, was born in 1946, followed by Darren in 1952. It was at that time when Jay retired from baseball and they returned to Dallas and started Jay's Florist of Wynnewood, a 30+ year success. After selling the florist, and the passing of Jay in 1987, Doris worked in the office of Weir's Furniture for several years, and then moved on to The Dallas Zoo. For more than a decade she ran the gift shop and then helped in supporting the accounting group before retiring at the age of 88. Throughout it all, Doris maintained the sweetness persona, whether it be colleagues, friends or strangers. She passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024--two months shy of her 100th birthday. She is preceded in death by her son, James Shawn Avrea; her husband, James E. "Jay" Avrea; her sister Ruth Embelyne Bye; and both parents. She is survived by her son, Darren Avrea and daughter-in-law Sandra. Grandchildren: granddaughter Ashley and husband Robert Cathey; grandson Sanders and wife Katy Avrea; and granddaughter Katy and husband Michael Cosby. Great-grandchildren: Margot, Frances, Nina and Spencer Cathey; Owen and Lorraine Avrea; and Robert, Blake and Dean Cosby. A private service will be held Tuesday, February 13 at Laurel Land Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Doris' name may be made to DallasZoo.com/Tribute.