Doris La Rue Mashburn

Lifelong Killeen resident Doris La Rue Farmer Mashburn went to be with the Lord July 15, 2015 after a brief illness. Mrs. Mashburn was born on March 10, 1930 in Killeen, the only child of Vera Bingham Farmer and John Wesley Farmer. She was preceded in death by her husband of thirty nine years Robert Lee Mashburn and beloved son John Austin Connell. Surviving Mrs. Mashburn is a large family of children, grandchildren and friends. Her daughter Denna Cathryn O’Connor of Abilene, Texas and her two sons Victor Craig Mashburn of Fort Worth and Scott Edgar Mashburn of Dallas. She was loved and admired by her five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Survivors also include Barton and Barbara Mashburn and Rose Marie Connell of Harker Heights.

Graduating from Killeen High School in 1947 she spent her life as a successful member of the Killeen business community. After a brief period away from Killeen, Doris and her husband Robert (Bob) returned to Killeen with very few resources but a lot of determination, and her keen, natural business acumen. Together they opened the Armored Insurance Agency just outside the East Gate of Fort Hood. Later, they entered the taxi business, taking ownership of the Yellow Cab Company and finally; Kelly cab. Doris carefully managed their business operations and made them prosper. Her business sense was topped only by her generosity. She shared her prosperity with the ASPCA, Viva La Arts, her church and other organizations whose missions reflected her humane and loving outlook on life.

Doris was at her best when she was helping others. Throughout her life she was well known for extending her love and generosity to people in all stations in life. A book could be written about the people to whom she extended her love and generosity. Everyone in the family remembers JE Johnson a young African American who Doris “adopted” back in the early 1960’s. JE basically became a family member and stayed one until his recent death. Then there was Lorene Moffit, who cared for the family for over thirty years and became another “adopted” member. We can never forget Leroy Walker who worked for the family and who received lifelong care from Doris until his death at over 100 years. In recent years, she was blessed with the friendship of Debra Edison who cared for Doris as if she was her own mother, her best friend, and her confidant. Lastly, she formed a wonderful friendship with Charles Pasley, who started out working for her many years ago and became a friend that one only finds in a lifetime. Once you became a friend of Doris’s you were always a friend and more importantly, you were family.

The First Baptist Church of Killeen was her church home. Not only was she a lifelong member but she was a third generation member with her mother and grandmother also on the church honor role. She especially loved her Sunday school class and prayer group which provided her with so much spiritual and social support. Through the church she renewed her relationship with the Lord and with many old friends. In her final hours she was visited by several of these special friends who offered their prayers and blessings.

The story of Doris Mashburn could not be fully told without mentioning her love of football. As much as she loved her family we all knew not to call during any game but especially when the Dallas Cowboys were on the television. Even the non-football aware family members had to keep up with the schedule so you could avoid such a mishap. Actually you could call but only to talk about the game or to talk football. Doris might well have been one of the best football handicappers in the state. Her nephew Mitch Connell, a frequent Monday night football companion, called her the “guru of the gridiron”.

Doris’s final moments were spent just as she would have wanted, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, friends and her poodle companion DiDi. Willie Nelson music played in the background. It was, we all agreed, a “death with dignity”. Embraced with love, the hope of heaven, she quietly departed.

Visitation will be at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home Friday, July 17, 2015 from 6pm to 8pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at The First Baptist Church of Killeen. Mrs. Mashburn will be laid to rest in the Killeen City Cemetery.

Please share condolences with the family by visiting www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com