Doris Ann Darsey

Doris was born in March of 1934, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She had two older brothers by several years. Her father was Minor League Baseball Player and her mother was a stay-at-home homemaker. She was always taking care of her mother and brothers and even went to work just after High school Graduation to help pay the bills. She worked hard at CONOCO as a Spokesperson for the Oil company, and it was through this job that she met her only husband, Donovan Wade Darsey. Their first date was to a Baptist Church Prayer service. In every sense, my mother was unforgettable—a woman who was sweet, kind, and had a zest for life.

She loved Christ and fellowship. She was a proud member of her Christian Women’s Club for over 30 years. She cherished her family, had a deep passion for the NBA, Major League Baseball, and—true to her Adopted State—all things Texas A&M sports.

She taught her family honor, humor, and self-respect. She lived by the values of fairness, compassion for others, and devotion to family—even to strangers in need. She gave, even when she knew it might cost her because that’s who she was.

There are moments in our lives that seem so minor, so simple, yet in her family's eyes when they look back they define who someone is to them. One of those moments that stands out for her son Matthew is when she was driving him and his best friend around Bellaire, Texas in her station wagon—slamming the brakes, gunning the gas, again and again while they slid on cardboard in the back, laughing like lunatics. A stunned police officer tried to call it something serious, but to them, it was just joy—pure and hilarious. At the time, Matthew saw this beautiful woman as his mom, but as he cherishes this moment now he sees how loving and wonderful she was for the simplest of gestures to make them laugh and provide a little adventure. A moment in time that never fails to bring a smile to Matthew's face.

One of the most admirable qualities about Doris was her ability to make people feel good about themselves. She was like a walking self-esteem injection. Her love of antiques inspired a shared love for garage sales. Most of her son's clothes and toys came secondhand—and they were fun to find. Even when his dad was able to provide more, she stayed frugal. For no other reason than the joy of the adventure. Her husband only gave her one rule: no used underwear. Fair enough!

She wasn’t just a mom—she was *everyone’s* mom. The den mother to all her son's friends, many from tough homes. Some even stayed with them for months. She welcomed them, loved them, and lucky for Matthew they became his brothers. And her way of punishment? Sit in the den and paint watercolor for 30 minutes. Honestly, it was the most pleasant “punishment” ever. Creative, calm, and memorable—just like her.

She never met a stranger. After losing her father young, she stepped up as a mother figure to her own mother and brothers. Caring for others was second nature to her. She was a true mama bear.

Above all, she loved Christ, her husband, and her children. The song “Amazing Grace” says it all. It wasn’t just a hymn to her—it was who she was. She was fun-loving, deeply caring, passionate, and brave. A woman to admire, respect, and well frankly, Heaven is lucky to have her. Matthew loved his mom and dad, and they loved him. This loss is heavy but he is his mother’s son and will live each day with the wisdom, strength, and love that she taught him and be peaceful knowing that she gets to be with her Cherished Husband again.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Doris Darsey's name to Citizens for Animal Protection (CAPS) Houston animal shelter.

https://www.cap4pets.org/