Doris S. Carpenter

Doris S Carpenter, 79, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 19, 2012, in Virginia Beach. A native of Norfolk, born October 25, 1933, she was the daughter of the late James Ralph Smith and Elizabeth Agnes Ghiselin.

She is survived by her immediate family: John Strickland, Randy and Carla Strickland, Tim and Beth Strickland, and Gary and Betty Strickland; grandchildren Christopher Strickland, Molly Strickland Astudillo, Randy Strickland Jr, Jennifer Strickland Chausse, TJ Strickland, Kristen Strickland, Karina Hodge, Joshua Hodge, Nathaniel Hodge, Gary Strickland Jr, Casey Strickland, Samantha Strickland, Ashley Williams, and Richard Williams; and nine great grandchildren Rebecca Chausse, Taylor Strickland, Kayla Chausse, Sara Chausse, Gabriella Marquez, Jayden Williams, Kelle Bly, Kyle Pelawi, and Samantha Rose Astudillo.

She is also survived by her siblings BeckyJo (Smith) Sykes, William and Judy (Ritter) Smith, Sammy Upton, and Rose Mary (Daley) Smith, and dozens of much-beloved nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by Howard and Anne (Dunton) Gillette, Andy and Betty (Smith) Bunch, Pete and Alice (Smith) Vavadelis, Robert Smith, Richard Sykes, Linda (Smith) Upton, and James Smith.

A lifelong Baptist, she was a member of Temple Baptist Church, Norfolk, and West Hampton Baptist Church, Hampton. In her lifetime she held several positions, being in her early life one of the first female letter carriers with the US Post Office. She was a professional cake decorator for several years before joining the Post Office. After the Post Office she worked for many years as a checker and bookkeeper for various food chains. She loved to create things with her knitting, crocheting, and ceramics.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm, Friday, November 23, 2012 at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Rosewood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the family. Please share your condolences with the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com