By: W.C. Reader

"She was a wonderful lady that we admired so much".

"We are going to miss Doris so much. She truly was a lovely person".

"It is impossible to measure the good that she did for so many people".

"I am so lucky to have had her as a teacher".

"Her good influence will continue forever among those she expertly taught".

She was a wonderful human being, a very strong Regent, and a fine Christian lady".

"I could just tell by looking at her that she was a real lady - very caring and loving".

"You have lost a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother".

"I just want to thank Mrs. Reader. She was a positive influence in my life".

These are just a few excerpts from the many notes, cards, and letters, which have been sent to daughter Ann and Country Boy since our dearly beloved mother and wife, Doris, departed to take her place in Heaven, with the angels. She was a wonderful person who had a positive influence on the life of everyone that she touched. Hers was a happy life as she entered the teaching profession and was able to have a positive influence on the lives of so many young folks. She also played an active role in the affairs of her church, her community, and other organizations, with priority attention being given to her family.

But in later years, that demon Cancer stepped into her life and began to ravage her body. She fought a valiant battle against it for a number of years, and won most of the time. But it sneaked into her bone marrow in recent months and became a terminal thing. The pain was unbearable in these final weeks until God stepped in and called her Home. Now she is at peace.

From the time we met this lovely girl, we "courted" her for about 8 years made so by our participation in two wars. But when we came home from Korea, we lost little time in escorting her up to the altar. 52 years of wedded bliss followed, until recently. We're grief-stricken and the well-meant remarks of our friends remind us of the first verse of a beautiful song, which went something like this:

"It only hurts for a little while,

That's what they tell me, just wait and see;

But I will wait till you come back to me."

In the closing months, Doris and we developed a little ritual, which went like this: We would tuck her in bed, and she would slowly reach up and give us a peck on the cheek. We would say "Goodnight, Mama". She would reply, "Goodnight, Daddy". Our reply would be "Have a nice, restful night". She would counter with, "I love you". And we would say, "I love you", and turn out the light.

We still do!

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