Doris Elizabeth Hunter Lowery passed away at her home in Spring Valley on January 11, 2024, at the age of 89 surrounded by family. Doris was a true blessing to all who knew her, and her passing leaves a void in her family that will never be filled. Doris was born to the late Aldon and Gertrude (Wright) Hunter on December 14, 1934. Aside from a brief time living in far-away Leighton, Doris was a lifelong resident of Spring Valley.
It was at a skating rink in Sheffield, Alabama that Doris met the love of her life, Carl Lowery. Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years when Carl left this world way too soon and Doris grieved his passing for the remainder of her life. One can only imagine their heavenly reunion.
While in school Doris was crowned “Miss Spring Valley” and proudly wore the title for the rest of her life. Doris was a graduate of Colbert County High School in 1953.
Doris was a friend to all. She was well known for her famous homemade tea cakes, her wonderful sense of humor, and her catch phrase, “Well, Cat-Hair!” She loved country music (Conway, George and Tammy in particular) and often talked about the trips she and Carl would take to the Grand Ole Opry. She always dreamed of being in Hollywood with John Wayne and Doris Day.
Above all, Doris loved her Lord Jesus Christ. She was baptized into the Church of Christ at Spring Valley as a young woman and remained a devout Christian for the rest of her life.
Doris was a wonderful mother to her three children, and their spouses, who she treated as her own and she is survived by daughters Sherry Retherford (Farrell); Diane Singleton (Mack); and son, Charles Lowery (Kim). When Doris became a grandmother, she insisted she was much too young to be called “Granny” so at her request her grandchildren simply called her “Doris”. Her true joy was her six grandchildren: Jeremy Retherford (Lora), Luke Retherford (Megan), Farrah Lowery (Nate), Malcolm Singleton, Lauren Flanagan (Corey) and Cody Lowery along with her 13 great-grandchildren: Henry Retherford, Allyn Elizabeth Retherford, Evelyn Retherford, Ruth Carlisle Retherford, River Retherford, Rowe Retherford, Leo Lowery, Ivy Lowery, Grady Singleton, Hunter Singleton, Cooper Flanagan, Evie Flangan and Ridge Flanagan.
Doris also leaves behind special dear friends: Charlotte Vandiver, Mattie (McCoo) Johnson and Lee Mack Gotcher. Also, special thanks to Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, especially Laura, Constance & Julie.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Colbert Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Spring Valley Church of Christ. Graveside service will follow at Colbert Memorial Garden. Officiating the service will be Sonny Owens, Doris Chaney and Andrew Crowe. Pallbearers will be: Jeremy Retherford, Luke Retherford, Malcolm Singleton, Cody Lowery, Nate Lowery and Corey Flanagan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Alabama Christian Children’s Home, United Cerebral Palsy of Alabama or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
