Doris Lenoria Johnson

Doris was born in New Madrid, Missouri to the late Joseph and Nellie Scherffius. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandfather, "Papa" Thomas Locke, brothers Trice Scherffius, Henry Scherffius and sisters Elsie Caughron, Barbara White, Ruth Scherffius, Carolyn Byars, and nephews William Anthony "Tony" Caughron and Dale Caughron.

Doris is survived by Carl, her husband of 62 1/2 years, sons Randy (Carol), Brian (Rebecca), and daughter Sherry (Randy), and grandchildren Tyler Johnson, Ainsley Debler, Austin Debler, and brother Freddie Scherffius (Brenda) and nieces and nephews.

Doris came from humble beginnings where picking cotton was a way of life.

Over the years, her creative side blossomed. Her family witnessed her talents in sewing, crafts, and cooking.

Her sewing skills were evident in the clothing she made, altered, and repaired for her children. She also tailored school play outfits, crocheted blankets, and stitched needlepoint projects. One year, she even fashioned school supply desk bags for an entire 3rd grade class.

Using her creative talents, she loved decorating for all the holidays. Her children fondly remember her going all out on Christmas decorations, presents and food that she prepared. That tradition was continued with the grandchildren. Doris was proud of her three grandchildren and participated in their milestones. She enjoyed going overboard buying presents for both birthdays and Christmas to see the joy and excitement on their faces.

Doris had a natural talent for cooking. She enjoyed enhancing recipes and creating her own. Especially favored by the family was her vegetable soup, stuffed cabbage, blackberry cobbler, pineapple pie, chocolate pie, lemon, and strawberry cakes that all burst with flavor from a mother's love. She was particularly proud of winning a blue ribbon for her cornbread. From that recipe she later developed her much loved sausage cornbread dish.

Her memory will live on in the recipes she left for the family to recreate. Her love will be felt in the carrying on of holiday traditions and in heirlooms she crafted with her own two hands.

Most importantly Doris will be fondly missed simply for the person that she was, by her husband, children, grandchildren, other family, and all that knew her. Although we deeply feel her absence in our lives, we believe she has found eternal peace and healing.

The visitation will be held Monday, February 9, 2026, from 9 am to 11 am at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122. The graveside service will begin at 2:30 pm at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Troy, TN.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/memphis-tn/doris-johnson-12711507