Leland Vernon “LV” Doan, Sr., 93, of Collierville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at the home of his youngest daughter, Beverly, on Thursday, August 31, 2023, due to congestive heart failure. He was born on April 28, 1930, in Potts Camp, Mississippi, to James Gardner Doan and Willie Mae Cox. He met and married the “girl next door”—his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Melba Doan, in 1947, who preceded him in death in 2012, after 65 years of marriage. He loved to spend his days on Whitten Road with his favorite bird dogs, “Doc” and “Mama Judy,” hunting squirrels and quail. To LV, family was everything, a sentiment he would not soon let you forget.
The love he had for his children and grandchildren was immeasurable, and he was always so proud to boast of their achievements for hours to anyone who would listen. It was no secret that LV’s love for old country cooking was known by all, his favorite being biscuits and gravy and anything from his bride’s kitchen. In his later years, he developed a passion for cooking, after many lessons from Melba. LV was a veteran of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and he loved to recount old stories of his time on the force. He loved to sing and play the guitar, and was happiest playing the tunes of his favorite artists, George Jones and Johnny Cash.
LV is survived by his five children—Cheryl Jones of Adolphus, Kentucky, Janice Jaudon of Memphis, Tennessee, Denise Young and spouse, Bobby, of Adolphus, Kentucky, Leland Doan, Jr. and wife, Theresa, of Atoka, Tennessee, and Beverly Loft of Bartlett, Tennessee; his grand-children—Christopher Jaudon, Jennifer Jaudon, Justin Young, Dalton Young, Jesse Doan, and Marvin Loft, III, and his 12 beloved great-grandchildren. LV is also survived by his double first cousins, Daphine Thais, Linda Jones, and Dean Cox. LV was well-loved in his community, and a favorite recent memory was of his 90th Birthday, when the employees of the Collierville Water Department led a birthday parade past his home to send their well-wishes.
LV, Daddy, Papaw, Papa, Friend—he will be greatly missed, and his memory and legacy will live on in our hearts forever. Though his earthly heart may have ultimately failed, his soul lives on forever with Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior:
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, September 7, from 5-8pm at Collierville Funeral Home, located at 3863 Bailey Station, Collierville, Tennessee 38017. The funeral will be Friday, September 8, 2023, at 2:00pm followed by burial at Chewella Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Potts Camp, Mississippi.
