Doris Constance Carrington

Reverend Doris Constance Carrington, affectionately known as “Sister C,” was born Doris Constance Jones on September 30, 1937, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Albert and Clara Jones Sr. As the eldest of four children (Albert Jr., Gloria, and Norma Kay), she stepped into a life marked by leadership, strength, and grace. Even as a young girl, those qualities set the tone for a life that would bless her family, church, and community for decades.

Doris was raised in a Christ-centered home, and at the age of seven, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, beginning a lifelong walk of faith. The family later settled in Los Angeles, California, where they became devoted members of Paradise Baptist Church. There, under the leadership of Pastor AJ Iverson Sr., Doris’s gifts began to take shape. She founded the church’s Youth Department, spoke in various settings, and demonstrated a deep love for God’s Word and God’s people. From the beginning, it was clear that her voice, her conviction, and her commitment belonged to the Lord. She participated in the National Baptist Training Union (BTU), Sunday School Congresses, and represented the Western region as a national oratorical contest winner as a youth/young adult.

Education played a central role in her life. She often declared, “If man can put it in a book, you can take it out,” a statement that reflected both her discipline and her belief in personal growth. She graduated from Jefferson High School, Los Angeles City College, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles.

In the late 1950s, while serving faithfully at Paradise Baptist Church, she met a young preacher named Reverend James Donald Carrington. What began with persistence in courtship blossomed into a lifelong partnership rooted in love, faith, and shared purpose. They married on April 9, 1960. Their union was blessed with two children, Darlene Denise and Roderick DeHaven, and together they built a family and a ministry.

On May 20, 1964, Reverend Carrington and Doris, along with a small group of faithful believers, helped establish Friendship Baptist Church in Fullerton, California (now located in Yorba Linda, California). From that moment forward, Sister C became the First Lady of Friendship, serving faithfully in that role for nearly five decades. She often reflected on those early years with joy, remembering the sacrifice, the struggle, and the spirit of unity. They did not have all the answers, but they trusted God, worked hard, and built a church family that truly felt like family. She cherished memories of shared meals, ministry work, childcare, celebrations, and fellowship that bound the church together in love.

Doris began her professional career serving the County of Los Angeles as a young adult after graduating from California State University, Los Angeles. She later devoted 25 years of her career life to Southern California Gas Company, where she held several leadership roles before retiring in the late 1990s. Sister C eventually became the Business Manager at Friendship, assisting her husband with the administration of the church.

Behind the scenes and in public ministry, Sister C served with excellence and humility. She was a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, a loving grandmother, and a Spirit-filled helpmate to her husband throughout the church’s growth. Her service spanned numerous roles, including Youth Department Chairperson, Sunday School Teacher, General Secretary, Superintendent of Sunday School, Usher Board Member, and advisor to both women’s and youth ministries. She was also an original member of the Friendship Baptist Church Board of Christian Education and remained committed to spiritual formation throughout her life. Her influence extended beyond the local church. She served faithfully with organizations such as Church Women United, American Baptist Churches Women, and Ministers’ Wives Ministry, to name a few.

Sister C founded the Women’s Ministry at Friendship, which led to the founding of the Women of Radiant Design (WORD) Women’s Conference in 1989. Sister C served as the Director of the WORD Conference for 20 years, from 1992 until 2012. Her passion centered on equipping women to grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. She possessed a unique ability to discern others' needs and point them to the truth of God’s Word. Her ministry helped women not only hear the Word but live it.

Though she often humbly said she was not a preacher, the call of God on her life could not be denied. After years of prayer, resistance, and eventual surrender, Sister C fully embraced her calling to the preaching ministry. In 2003, she preached her trial sermon and was licensed to preach, marking a new chapter of public proclamation. That same year, she was honored as Woman of the Year by the National Council of Negro Women. As an Associate Minister at Friendship, she preached, taught, and ministered with power, clarity, and deep spiritual insight.

Beyond the pulpit and platform, Reverend Doris expressed her love in practical and personal ways. She was known as an exceptional cook, blessing family and friends with her “down-home” Louisiana cuisine. Her gumbo, peach cobbler, tea cakes, oatmeal cake, and praline candy became staples of love and fellowship, recipes she later shared as part of the church’s Silver Eagles cookbook. For her, cooking was not just a skill; it was an extension of her care, generosity, and joy.

Reverend Doris Constance Carrington leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Darlene (Reginald); a cherished legacy of grandchildren: Desireé, Brittany, Cameron, Lance, Kristopher, Kaden, and Kylie; great-grandchildren Janina, Aayden, Asriel, Annalé, Andrés, and Hendrix. She also leaves her beloved sister, Gloria Jones-Williams, and her daughter-in-law, Leigha, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop James Donald Carrington, and her son, Roderick DeHaven Carrington.

Ultimately, Reverend Doris Constance Carrington lived a life marked by faith, discipline, service, and love. She fought the good fight, finished her course, and kept the faith. Her legacy lives in the family she nurtured, the church she helped build, and the countless lives she impacted through her witness and work.

Now, she rests in the presence of the Lord she loved, served, and proclaimed.

A visitation will be held at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary, located at 902 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832, on March 6, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Rd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886, on March 7, 2026, starting at 10:00 am.

The committal service is scheduled for March 9, 2026, at 12:00 pm at Inglewood Park Cemetery, 720 E Florence Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301.