Doris Jean Aldridge

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, just a few days shy of 90 years of life, Doris entered heaven as a good and faithful servant to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior. Doris Jean Bradford was born June 26, 1933, to Grady Bradford and Gertrude Tyler Bradford.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Grady Bradford, Gertrude Tyler Bradford Wilson and Alpha Wilson; her children, Gene Hollis, Ann Hollis Singleton and Malinda Hollis (infant); brothers, Grady Lavear Bradford and Grady Wayne Bradford; grandson Seth Garrett; nephew Grady Lavear Bradford, Jr.; husbands, Winford Ray Hollis, Joseph Earl Vinyard, and James Bryant Aldridge.

Doris is survived by her daughter Yvonne Hollis Garrett, sister Mildred Welch of S.C; daughter-in-law Carol Hollis; grandchildren, Emilie (Jeremy) Holcomb, Mitch (Karen) Hollis, Kane Hollis, Jill (Wade) Hollis and Brianne Singleton (Terry) Lambert; great grandchildren, Anslie Paulk, Baylie Holcomb, Trevor Townsel, Kylie Hollis, Layla Hollis, Katlynne (Hunter) Dreaden, Serena Miller, and Jillian Miller; great-great-grandchilden, Jeremiah Parker and Palmer Torrence; nieces, Carol Bradford (Bill) Brodeur and Regina Bradford (Ben) Cox. Great nieces and nephews, Brad (Janet) Wilson, Jason (Jessica) Wilson of Gadsden and Amory (Trevor) Scott, Taylor (Morgan) Cox & Grant (Amy) Cox of Kentucky. Great-great- nieces and nephews, Keller & Miles Wilson who visited her often and Jillian, Anna & Ben Scott, Oliver, Warren and Ellender Cox of KY and many cousins.

Doris attended Emma Sansom High School. At the age of 16 Doris married Winford Hollis and started a family. They had 4 children, Gene, Ann, Yvonne & Malinda and were married for 24 years. Then, at the age of 40, she married Earl Vinyard. Earl’s children, Pam, Earl,Jr., Treva and Becky and his grandchildren became her own. They were happily married for 31 years. After “courting” for three years, at the age of 83, she married Bryant Aldridge. Again, her family was extended to include his daughters Kathy and Karen and his grandchildren. Doris and Bryant had fun. They enjoyed boating and going to the Friday night dance at the Senior Center.

Doris was a Prov. 31 woman who enjoyed serving. She loved making clothes for her children when they were young, sewing curtains for her children when they moved to a new home, and helping paint and wallpaper. She was an active band parent and chaperone while her children were in the Emma Sansom High School Band. Shopping for antiques with Earl and their friends Pat and Babe Entrekin was a favorite pastime. The Smokies were an annual vacation spot for her, Earl and their friends. She also made memories with her kids and grands through many trips to the beach. She enjoyed serving the Lord through her various positions while a member of Alabama City Methodist Church and for the past 36 years as a member of Bethesda Christian Fellowship. She loved her church family.

Doris was a substitute teacher for the Gadsden City School System for 13 years; primarily teaching at Floyd Elementary School in Alabama City where she lived for 84 years. She became a close friend to several teachers. Thank you Summer Sauls for the friendship, the many vases of flowers and her meals from Chicken Salad Chick. She loved you and all the attention you showed her.

A special thanks to her caregivers, Glenda Roberson, Babe Entrekin, Bradlie Ware, Crimson Holderfield, Penny Peacher, Liz Brodeur, Rachel Cheatwood, Tina Smith, Kathy Allen and nieces, Carol Brodeur and Regina Cox. Thank you for volunteering your time and making the past two years fun and peaceful. Your love and care for her will never be forgotten. Thank you to Aveanna Hospice, especially her nurse Rachel.

Doris was a lady in every sense of the word. Her laugh was infectious and her dinner table always had room for one more. Her life modeled the love of Jesus and she was truly a lady of grace. We celebrate her home-going and are most grateful for every moment spent with her.

A celebration of life will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2023 at Collier-Butler Funeral Chapel with Rev. Will Garrett officiating.