Doris Ellen Etheridge

WOW … that’s quite a run! Think about what occurred in 94 years. Doris Pittman Etheridge saw the Dust Bowl years, the Great Depression, and World War II. She saw entertainment evolve from radio to television, and then the enhancement to color television. She saw the evolution of cameras from bulky heavy boxes to self-developing film, to no film at all. She saw the dawn of space exploration and the first man on the moon. She saw a new century begin when all four digits of the year changed. She proudly participated in a vote to elect the first African-American President.

Doris quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey when she thought it was too expensive; they were a whopping 25 cents per pack (too much money to watch something burn she said). A child of the Great Depression, she saved everything and lived by Reuse/Repurpose long before going green was popular. “You never know, it might come in handy for something else sometime” was her motto. Even the lowly rubber band was saved in the firm belief that most household problems could be solved with a sturdy rubber band. She read the daily newspaper thoroughly except for the Sports section. She could grow prolific African Violets and Christmas cactus, but the simple ivy didn’t stand a chance in her care. She may have looked small and frail, but she was a warrior and a model of feisty determination.

Life is a series of seasons. Sometimes we’re in winter, when everything seems cold, dark, and dreary. Sometimes we’re in spring, when life seems to be budding with new opportunities. She endured a winter of worry for Conley Etheridge, her military husband serving in the Pacific theater, occupied Japan, and later in Korea. Then spring came and a new life began with him. They lived in Uvalde, where daughter Patricia was born, then Brownsville, and San Antonio before settling in Austin. He called her the eighth wonder of the world and they were life partners for 62 years until he died in 2004.

A happy remembrance of a long life well-lived will be held Saturday, November 17 at 11:00am at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the church at

3208 Exposition Blvd., Austin TX, 78703.

From daughter Patricia Zombola: Thanks to Kindred Hospice and North Austin Medical Center 4-N-B staff, especially Randa, for their compassionate care. Grateful appreciation is also extended to the Pavilion at Great Hills staff, especially Gloria and Sarah, and Youleng and Tralaina who always remembered to take care of me also.

Mommy, don’t worry about me … I’ll be okay.