Doris Gill

Doris Fay Gill, 80, of La Porte Texas, passed on to her reward on September 22, 2017. She was born in the “Shadows of the Alamo” in San Antonio, Texas July 7, 1937. Doris graduated from San Jacinto College and received a degree in Nursing Science. She served as a Registered Nurse for many years, working primarily with psychiatric patients.

She was married to Bill Gill for 57 years until his passing in 2012. They shared a ministry of preaching and singing together for five decades. Doris loved to play the piano and accompanied Bill in churches throughout Houston and the broader Texas area. She wrote several songs including “The Ballad of Balmorhea,” “The Battle of Big Bend,” and the family favorite “How God Makes It Rain.” She also loved to paint and believed that every person should have the opportunity to be creative.

She is preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Alvin Dempsey Gill; her sister Peggy Ella Smith; and her parents Andrew William Smith and Ollie Mae McNeil Smith.

Doris is survived by her two brothers: Andrew William “Bill” Smith, Jr. and Stanley Arthur Smith.

Doris is survived by her six children whom she dearly loved: Alvin Wayne Gill; Brenda Sue Gill McCorkel (Archie); Donna Marie Gill Thompson (Walter); Ollie Mae Gill Brockhan (Larry); Mary Estelle Gill Kidder (Dave); Windell Curtiss Gill (Cindey).

She also is survived by 13 grandchildren: Amy Beth Thompson, Tammy Leigh Thompson, Matthew Allan Thompson; Angela Renea Thompson-Johnson (Robby), Stephen Cline Thompson (Shelly), Brian Joseph Thompson (Rachel); Stephanie Fay McAtee (Tim), Rachel Rae Liberty (Corey); Christopher James Kidder (Yvonne), Terese Gayle Kidder Moore (Matt); Windell Curtiss Gill, II, Tabitha Leah Gill Godinez (Carlos), and Tiffany Hannah Gill; 20 Great Grandchildren: Olivia Sue Anna Leigh Moodispaugh Whitman, Braven Allan Moodispaugh, Ariel May Beth Stanton; James Dallas Johnson, Madison Renea Johnson, Meredith Reese Johnson; Nathan Thomas Phillips, Joseph Anton Thompson, Brookelynn Marie Thompson; Phillip Allan McAtee, Emily Rose McAtee, Allie Mae McAtee; Peyton Rae Liberty, Phenix Walker Liberty, Charlee Shay Liberty, Elliot Fae Liberty; Riley Caitlyn Kidder, Oliver Daniel Kidder; Layla Elizabeth Godinez; and one on the way; and 2 Great Great Grandchild: Harlyn Mercy Whitman, and one on the way.

All her Grandsons, Great Grandsons, and Grandsons-in-laws are deeply honored to serve as pall bearers for Memaw.

Doris was a member of First Baptist Church La Porte, Texas. In Lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Vision Fund at First Baptist Church La Porte.