Doris Jean Rickles

Doris Jean Rickles our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, faithful family member and friend of many stepped through Heavens Gates into her heavenly home to be with Jesus Christ Her Lord and Savior on Sunday September 16, 2012. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through many months of struggles and a long battle with her health during her last years.

Doris was born on September 27th, 1930 as the only child to Lillian Denton Keener and Hoyt Wilson, both of whom worked in the old Dwight Cotton Mill in Alabama City. Doris spent some of her childhood with loving grandparents and family in Georgia and spoke often of her fond memories of her childhood there.

Known for her ease in conversation with even total strangers, Doris always had an entertaining sense of humor and a charming wit about her. She was able to earn the hearts and trust of many who knew her. Her signature of giving and generosity was truly one of her gifts. Doris was a strong woman of character with a feisty spirit about her that gave her strength during her last years.

Doris was a mother that taught her children and grandchildren right from wrong, how to have wisdom and compassion, how to have fun and how to rest, how to dream and how to soothe their tears, how to love life and people and how to battle our fears, but most of all she was a mother of prayer who taught her children that God was always first. She leaves a great legacy of character and faith. We are beyond blessed that God chose us to be her children. She will always be in our heart and the words in our head. She is our love…she is our mom.

Doris loved Amateur radio and maintained a license for years talking and making friends from around the world as a hobby along beside her husband. She was also an avid fan of college football and spent most of her Saturdays during the fall seasons cheering on her favorite team the Crimson Tide. Her joy was that both of her daughters were graduates of the University of Alabama.

Doris attended Emma Sansom high school and married her childhood sweetheart Roy G Rickles on November 23, 1947. They shared 33 loving and happy years together until his sudden death on October 14, 1980. They raised two children together, Regina and Julie, but lost an infant son at birth, Roy G. Rickles Jr. Roy. Doris and Roy owned and operated their family business together, Rickles Electronics, in Gadsden until his death after which it was operated by Regina Rickles along with Doris until her retirement in 1998.

A woman of faith and the heart of the Rickles family, Doris shaped their spirituality by her tireless Christian example through the years attending Cathedral of Praise, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and cooking in the church kitchen. Doris loved her church and was always a great supporter of her pastors.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents Lillian and Wilmer Keener, and Hoyt Wilson, and her husband, Roy G Rickles. She is survived by her daughters Regina (Russell Johnson) Rickles and Julie (Mike) Rickles Anderson; grandchildren Chad (Chrystal) Cox, Brandi Wood, Colby McDowell, Sydney Anderson, and Sophie Anderson; great-grandchildren Isaak Zuniga, MaKayla Wood and Abe Cox; special sister-in-laws Lucille (late James) Rickles and Deloris Peek ( Harvey ) and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Special caregivers and friends include Judy Colvin, Celina Stern, Eloise Crowe and Terry Hathcock.

Arrangements will be handled by Collier Butler Funeral Home with visitation to be held Wednesday, September 19, 2012 from 2:00-4:00pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 4:00pm in the Collier Butler Chapel. A short graveside prayer will be held at Forrest Cemetery afterward.

The Revs. Mark Leonhardt and Mike Welborn will officiate.

Pallbearers Include: Joey Statum, Paul Parris, Max Hammonds, Jerry Knight, Jan Stanley, and Charles Copeland. Honorary Pallbearers: Jerry Rickles and Iris Oden.

Special Thanks to: 8th floor Step Down nurses , Gadsden Home Health Care Nurses and staff, Dr. Suraj Sanchetti, Dr. Beakley, Dr. Dominic Homan, Northeast Alabama Nephrology Group and Nurse Lori Stevens.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.