Doris Booth Heartwell

Doris (Booth) Heartwell, born December 28, 1923, passed from this life to life in God’s Spirit on April 3, 2017.  Born and in Elrod, Alabama, Doris graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, in chemistry and bacteriology.  During WWII she moved to Detroit to work for Parke Davis Pharmaceutical Company.  It was there she met the love of her life, George Heartwell Jr., a handsome young Navy officer home on leave from the Pacific.   They married on September 2, 1947.  Two Children were born of their love, George III and Judith.  In their early married years Doris and George met their lifelong friends Francisco and Phyllis Vega.  Doris was dedicated to her family and her church: East Congregational UCC.  Her Joy Guild friends formed the center of her social life and the church benefited from her service as Deaconess, Trustee, and Chair of the Women’s Fellowship.  Church folk will remember her most, though, as the first to greet any visitor to the church and make them feel welcomed.  Doris served for many years on the Board of Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community.

With grandchildren, her life took on a new dimension. No one has ever loved grandchildren more than Doris.  With George she traveled the world but was never happier than when at home with family and friends.  The death of her beloved husband in 1989 opened a new chapter – sad but determined – in her life.  She doubled down her investment of love for her family and church.

In the past year, as Alzheimer’s claimed her mind, her gentle, loving, and always cheerful spirit never flagged.  She entered the presence of her God with peace and certainty of faith.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents James L. Booth and Bessie F. Booth and her beloved husband George, Jr.  She is survived by her brother James L. “Sonny” (Betty) Booth of Northport, AL, and their daughters Jeanne Booth Scott of Northport and Sonya (James) Booth Davis of Birmingham, AL; her son George (Susan) Heartwell III, her daughter Judith (Charles) Herr, grandchildren Damien (Stefania) Heartwell, Dawn (Ryan Huppert) Heartwell, Veronica (Kenneth) Aho, Sarah Herr, and Beverly Herr; her great grandchildren Alec, Micah, Michela, Austin, Luca and Gabriel who love and miss her greatly; and David (Sue) Bird who was always like a son to her. 

Memorial service will be held at East Congregational Church, 1005 Giddings St. SE on April 22, 2017.  Family will receive guests at Noon.  Memorial service will be held at 1:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to East Congregational Church or Clark Retirement Community.

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