Funeral Services for Mrs. Doris Smith Saxon, age 80 of Ashland, will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville at 3:00 P.M. with Bro. Randy Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Lystra Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Saxon passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023 at her home. She was a lifelong resident of Clay County, a graduate of Clay County High School, and received her associate’s degree from Southern Union State Community College. Early in her life, she worked in the logging business and drove a school bus for a period of time, but primarily worked for Higgins Slacks as a seamstress for the majority of her life until she retired. Her last job was serving as the secretary for Ralph Saxon Logging and John M. Logging companies. Mrs. Saxon enjoyed canning tomatoes, sewing, traveling to the beach with her family, and gardening and tending to her flowers. She was known as “The Sarge” and “The Boss” by her family, but was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, and Grandmother. Mrs. Saxon was a member of Lystra Baptist Church.
Mrs. Saxon is survived by two daughters: Jennifer Saxon (Larry Griffin) of Lineville and Ollive East (Christopher) of Ashland; two sons: John M. Saxon (Melanie Waldrop) and Wayne Saxon, both of Ashland; her grandchildren: Jasmine East (Josh), Gavin and Gabby East, Mollie and Jenna Saxon, Aaron Messer (Heather), Kendra and Acie Waldrop; her great-grandchildren: Gannon and Christian East, Jaedah Glenn, Harper and Haven Messer, and Nadia East; three sisters: Carolyn Cotney of Ashland, Naomi McCain of Alex City, and Pat Heaton (Robert) of Rockford; two brothers: Howard Smith (Martha) and Dexter Smith, both of Ashland, plus a large extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Russell and Loise Suggs Smith; her husband, Ralph Wayne Saxon; grandson, Kane East; one sister, Linda Gortney; and two brothers, Charles and Bruce Smith.
Active Pallbearers will be Doyle Smith, Johnny Mack Brown, Jerrid Smith, Poodge Smith, Vic Gortney, Phil Gortney, Jerry Cotney, and Chris Smith.
Honorary Pallbearers will be JonPaul Smith, Jason Smith, Christopher Smith, Michael Hanson, Thomas Cotney, and Jason Hanson.
Her visitation will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 1:00 P.M. until service time at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of Flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to the Lystra Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, or the charity of their choice.
