05/06/2026
Doris Marie Rather, 76, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2026. She was born on February 6, 1950.
Visitation is at 11am until 6pm on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. A celebration of life service will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, 8033 FM 2026. Interment is at Mt. Gillion Cemetery. Repass at Mt. Gillion Baptist Church, 5545 State Hwy 87 N, Center, Texas 75935.
Doris' life journey began on February 8, 1950, in the small town of Timpson, Texas. She was born the fifth child of the twelve children of the late Lee Berk and Lola Mae Jackson Rather. She was the third of seven girls.
Doris was always very strong and a hard worker in everything she did. She had an unusual strength about her that was unexplainable. However, one explanation was that she was a strong Christian woman. She was a praying woman and full of Faith which allowed her to accomplish many things. She was very creative and she loved working with children. She was a servant from her heart and loved doing things for people.
Doris graduated from Timpson High School in 1968 earning the Valedictorian of her class. After graduation, she entered Texas College in Tyler, Texas. Thanks to our math teacher in Timpson who was from Tyler, Mrs. Essie J. Carr, Doris became the first of our family to attend college.
After her second year at Texas College, she moved to Sweetwater, Texas with her oldest sister, Mary Horn. Doris began working as a seamstress at Wall's Industry, a coat factory in Sweetwater, until she retired. This is where she raised her two sons as a single mother providing everything they needed, putting them both through college. Sometimes she worked two jobs. Doris was a very dedicated Mother.
Doris united with the New Prospect Baptist Church in Timpson and was baptized along with several other young people in the Deacon Chairman's pond, at the age of twelve. Our parents made sure we were in Sunday School and Church every Sunday and were taught the Word of God.
After moving to Sweetwater, Doris united with Greater Zion Baptist Church where the late Rev. William Jackson served as pastor. She was very active in her church there in Sweetwater where she became the Youth Directress, choir member, church custodian, Vacation Bible School Directress, Culinary Ministry, and wherever else she was needed.
Doris later relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and united with Mt. Carmel Baptist church where she was very active until her health failed. She served as Deaconess President, Youth Sponsor, Vacation Bible School Director, Choir member, Girl Scout Sponsor, etc. She loved outreach and serving others. She would personally prepare meals for families who lost loved ones. She would often make things and deliver them to Nursing Homes, she was a part of the visitation Ministry with deacons who administered Communion to the sick and shut in, she would make things for her neighbors in her apartment complex which was for disabled Seniors. She also worked at a Church Day Care where she was over the kitchen. She prepared meals for the children and prepared food for the parishioners every Wednesday night. Doris was a phenomenal woman!!
Doris suffered many hardships in her life, but she pressed onward with very strong convictions, She went through so much, but yet she pressed on by the Grace of God. She could truly say as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day...'
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Lee Berk and Lola Mae Jackson Rather; two brothers - Nelson and Paul Rather; and two sisters - Mary Horn and Gladys Simon.
She leaves to cherish her memories:
Sons:
Durl Lyn Rather (Tracy), Arlington, Texas
William "Billy" Rather (Allison), Alexandria, Louisiana
Godsons: Kerrington and Kylan
Brothers:
Samuel Rather of Nacogdoches, Texas
Michael Rather of Nacogdoches, Texas
Clifford Lynn Rather of Nacogdoches, Texas
Sisters:
Linda Black, Nacogdoches, Texas
Alice Snow Mosley, Tyler, Texas
Joyce Johnson, Center, Texas
Josie Rather of Houston, Texas
Birdie Kelley of Houston, Texas
Shelia Rather of Houston, Texas
Sister/niece: Sharon (Darryl) Dickey, Little Rock, Arkansas
Grandchildren:
Ellie Maris and Noah Harrison Rather, Arlington, Texas
Ayden Rather, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
A host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services are under the direction of Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas 75935.
