Doris Elizabeth Cherry, 91, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Indian Springs Village, Alabama, with her loving family at her side. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 22 in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. Stacey Parvin officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville. Interment will immediately follow the service in Betheden Cemetery.
Doris was born April 27, 1932, to George Washington and Gatsie Livingston Cherry in Winston County, Mississippi. She grew up on a farm so she enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers. She was a talented seamstress and for a few years, she sewed clothes for herself and her children. Doris enjoyed being outdoors, taking care of her yard and her “pet” squirrels and birds, and her feral cat, Miss Kitty. She received her degree from Calhoun Community College in Huntsville, Alabama. For 33 years, Doris worked as a clerk typist at Redstone Arsenal and NASA. She loved her country and was so proud of the military men and women that she worked with at Redstone Arsenal and NASA. Doris loved the Jewish people, supporting many organizations to help them return to the holy land from other countries. She also supported many veteran, police, and firefighter organizations. Just a week before her passing she said, “I never expected to live this long.” God blessed her with strength, resiliency, long life, great neighbors, loving family, and the time to make peace with all the people in her life. She was able to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and nieces; and to have her daughter and son-in-law be with her at the end as she went home to Jesus.
Doris is survived by her children: Cherry Kresal Inman and husband, Wally; Wanda Kresal McKelvy and husband, Mike; Elwood W. Kresal, Jr. and wife, Lisa; and Ramona “Mona” Kresal Dean and husband, Phil. One of her greatest joys was being “Grandma” to her grandchildren: Michael Fincher, Brian Inman, Nathan Inman, Laura McKelvy Sellers, Eric McKelvy, Matthew Kresal, Joshua Kresal, Sean Dean, and Brett Dean; and her great-grandchildren: Dresdon Fincher, Penelope Kresal, and Charlotte McKelvy. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings: Agnes Gwathney, Calvin Cherry, and Robert T. “Bobby” Cherry.
Serving as pallbearers are Phil Dean, Mike McKelvy, Sean Dean, Brett Dean, Mark Cherry, and Josh Kresal. Memorials may be made to Betheden Lutheran Church, c/o Shirley Livingston, 40 Livingston Road, Louisville, MS 39339.
