Doris Ann Tumlin

She was born November 22, 1926 in Cartersville, Georgia to the late Lester Franklin and Eva Bailey Smith and was educated in the Cartersville School System. Doris married Norton Brown Tumlin on February 9, 1952. Prior to marriage, she worked at Kroger Grocer Store and then as secretary at First Baptist Church. It was during her time as church secretary that she fell in love with Norton. She stayed home to raise her children until the youngest was in school, and then she went back to being church secretary for a few years. Realizing the high cost of college education, Doris became a full time rural letter carrier to help pay the tuition of her four children.

Doris and Norton, as well as their children, were active members at First Baptist Church Cartersville, where she served as church hostess for many years and also touched many lives by teaching the youth in Church Training Union on Sunday nights. Later, she was a member of Heritage Baptist Church. Doris was a talented seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothing, costumes, blankets, and quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was also an excellent cook, and one could always find freshly baked cookies, bread, or brownies in her kitchen. After being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 62, she became an avid walker. Many people who walked at Dellinger Park over the past 25 years will remember the beautiful white haired lady with the muscular legs who could beat anyone around the two mile course she traipsed twice a day. If she wasn’t walking, cooking, or sewing, and it was a warm month, you could find her on her XMark cutting the grass. A stroke at age 82 ended these hobbies for Doris, but she took up reading and completed four or five books a week. She also was a big Braves fan and kept a schedule of all the games next to her bed. Doris always had a smile to share and never, ever complained.

Affectionately known as Gran, Doris is survived by her children, Terry Norton Tumlin and spouse Luanne Gilreath Tumlin of Cartersville, Rebecca Alluwee Tumlin Jarrett and spouse James Esley Jarrett of Cartersville, Lewis Henry Tumlin, III and spouse Susan Williams Tumlin of Cartersville, and Trudy Jane Tumlin Christopher and spouse Michael Edward Christopher of Canton. Her nine surviving grandchildren are James Adam Jarrett, Atlanta, Sarah Elizabeth Tumlin Bronni and spouse Nick, Oakton Virginia, Joshua Andrew Jarrett, Atlanta, Matthew Thomas Christopher and spouse Caroline, Daytona Beach, FL, Katherine Grace Tumlin, Cartersville, Lewis Henry (Hank) Tumlin IV, West Palm Beach, FL, Ross Tumlin Christopher, Savannah, Samuel Gilreath Tumlin, Augusta, and Bonnie Dell Tumlin Roberts and spouse Kevin, Charleston, SC. She is also survived by her sister, Clara Smith Bagwell and brother-in-law, Harris Bagwell of White, and her sister-in-law Scottie Tumlin McNair, Jonesboro and many nieces and nephews.

Doris was pre-deceased by her spouse, Norton Brown Tumlin, daughter Patricia Ann Tumlin, and brother Carl Smith and sister-in-law Helen Smith.

The service will be held Saturday, November 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Owen Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, November 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.