Doris Loraine Frederick Harris cut a wide path in her 81-year earthly pilgrimage. She left us memories galore which span time, place and purpose through her walk amongst us. Doris crossed over in her sleep to her eternal home from her sister, Rhonda’s residence in the Palmetto Community of Lee County in the early hours of Friday, September 20, 2024. Born on January 19, 1943 to two pioneer Lee Co. families, the Fredericks and Snipes, Doris was the 5th of 6 children born to the union of Cleve Frederick and Lillian Snipes Frederick. Doris graduated in 1960 from Shannon High School where she was a “leftie” ace basketball player for the Red Raiders. She was a longtime member of Old Union Baptist Church and, after her marriage to the late Junior Harris, she became an active member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church where she was secretary. As she retired and her health failed, she moved in with her sister, Rhonda, and they attended Palmetto Baptist Church. Doris was everyone’s sweetheart and spent over 40 years as an associate with Jimmy Pappas at the Ramada Inn and the Summit. Her primary role was that of server but she became a well known beloved lady among the people of this area. Her smile was contagious, her laughter profound and her inviting, compassionate spirit encouraged thousands of people. Strong and independent, her service was uncompromised and she made everyone feel special. Doris loved attending Church, cooking and hanging out with her family. Anyone who ate Sunday buffet at the Summit over the years will remember her as the “queen bee” of that establishment!
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with her first cousin, Bro. Wayne Frederick, and Bro. Jimmy West officiating. Private burial will be next to her late husband, Junior, at Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon-service time on Monday only at Holland-Tupelo Chapel. Pallbearers will be her nephews. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.
Doris is survived by her sister and caregiver, Rhonda Frederick; her nieces and nephews whom she loved as her children, Perry Frederick, Bill Frederick, Jr., Mike McCraw, Cole Frederick, Sonya Collier, Pam Robinson, and Cherry Frederick, and all their families; her sisters-in-law, Sue Frederick and Dot Frederick. She was preceded in death by her husband, Junior; her parents, Cleve and Lillian; and 4 siblings, Clyde, Charles, Billy Ray, and JoAnn Frederick McCraw, and her special friend after Junior’s death, Earl Dry.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to Gentiva Hospice and their associates for their care of Doris in her final year. For those unable to be present at the service, they may go to hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming to view.
Memorials may be made to Palmetto Baptist Church, 982 Road 261, Tupelo, MS 38801.
