Doris Marie Willett

Born November 21, 1930 in Fairfield, Texas, Doris attended Fairfield High School.

Doris waited tables for 55 years, “slinging hash,” as she put it, and poured enough coffee to flood the Rio Grande. In her half-century-plus of waitressing, Doris walked an estimated 250,000 miles, roughly from the earth to the moon . . . about 80 times around the perimeter of Texas.

Famously opinionated—and always caffeinated—Doris was sweet with a side of zest. She was a teller of tales and always the life of any party. She had many loves, including dancing, Dr Pepper, and delighting in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whose photos she would share with anyone . . . anywhere . . . anytime.

Widowed young, Doris faced, and overcame, enormous challenges in her life, yet she blazed an 87-year-long trail of love and laughter. Hers was a life well and richly lived—one that embodied unmatched grit, unparalleled sacrifice, and unsurpassed love.

Doris is jubilant to be safely in the arms of Jesus, and to be reunited with her life’s great love—and favorite jitterbug partner—her late husband Ray Willett, gone now 46 years.

Doris leaves behind a hilariously offbeat family that she loved extravagantly. She is survived by her two children: Donna Sparkman and husband Terry, and Donny Willett and wife Tiffany; seven grandchildren: Brandie Koonce, Brittanie Waller, Tandi Barcak, Taylor McKee, Jacob Willett, Shane-David Willett, and Genevieve Willett; and a whopping 11 great-grandchildren: Haylie Black, Blaine Mosley, Tyson Smith, Rhyian Smith, Kaisen Sparks, Tanner Smith, Paisleigh Brothers, Landon Waller, Stetson Koonce, Caleb McKee, and Byron Waller.

Doris is predeceased by—and now joyously reunited with—her husband Ray, and by her parents, Lee and Myrtis (Anderson) Mallard. The oldest of four children, Doris is also survived by her sister, Lynn Bennett, and predeceased by her two brothers, Raymous and Jasper Mallard.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Doris’s memory to Young Life—Southwest Austin (swaustin.younglife.org) , The Refuge of Austin (therefugeaustin.org), or International Justice Mission (ijm.org).

The family sends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff of Brookdale Lakeway who adored Doris and took wonderful care of her as she transitioned from this life to the next.