Doris was born in Wiesbaden, Germany to Staff Sergeant Charles of US Army Air Corps (ret) and Christine (Jalowiecki) Burford. She graduated from Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 1966. While attending Okaloosa Walton Junior College, she met her first husband and father of her three children, George Kitchens. After proudly serving as a US Army Officers wife for 17 years, Doris moved to Pensacola, Florida from Panama with her three children and continued her education at Pensacola Junior College where she graduated with her nursing degree in 1986. She was a beloved cardiac nurse, having worked in New Orleans, Louisiana at Mercy Baptist Hospital as well as the cardiac rehab unit at West Florida Hospital where she made meaningful connections with her patients and eventually retired in 2015.
Doris always had a passion for nursing as she was a member of the Future Nurses Club for all four years of high school. She was always there to take care of family and friends in times of need, including her father, whom she cared for in her own home for five years.
She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren; the importance of family was a fundamental aspect of her life and it was apparent how much love she had for them. Doris was outgoing; she was a member of the Pensacola Women’s Beach Club, Bunco Babes, enjoyed going to musical events such as Bands On The Beach, Saint Christopher’s Concerts and modeling for Chico’s. She had a special group of friends from high school who called themselves the “Mama Mia’s” and met annually in Destin for reunions.
Doris was preceded in death by her father Charles, and her mother Christine. She is survived by her husband of twenty three years, Homer; her three children, Scott Kitchens of Fort Meyers, FL, Angela Archer (Michael) of Fort Worth, TX, Christina Edwards (Scott) of Trophy Club, TX; six grandchildren, Brandon Archer (Faith), Scott Edwards, Jr., Hannah Archer, Taylor Kitchens, Anna Edwards, Brooke Kitchens; one great grandchild, Eve Archer; cherished lifelong friend Joyce Gauvin; sisters-in-law Cosby Rogers (Robert), Rebecca Steele; brother-in-law Charlie Steele (Patti), and many special friends.
Visitation will be at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel and Bayview Memorial from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2022 with services at 2 pm. Pallbearers will be Robert Rogers, Michael Archer, Scott Kitchens, Scott Edwards, Sr, Brandon Archer and Scott Edwards, Jr.
The family would like to thank Dr. Russell Ronson and team and Dr. Edin Pujagic who gave such amazing care to Doris.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com for the Steele family.
