Doris Toppin

and laughs without fear of the future.”

--Proverbs 31:25

Doris Ann Toppin quietly transitioned from this world on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

Doris was born to the late Julian A. Logan and Mindora Brown Logan in Cleveland, Ohio. Although she was the eldest of the two children born to Julian and Mindora, she remained very close to her older half sister, the late Iris Morse and her late brother Charles. Doris confessed her faith in Christ and maintained herself as a very devoted Christian at an early age. She lived that faith throughout her entire life.

After her family relocated from Cleveland to Queens, New York in 1932, she began to intensely study piano. She became an accomplished concert pianist and at the age of 15, she played piano at the then referred to “Negro” Concert named the “Stars of Tomorrow”. The concert was held at The Town Hall Theater in Manhattan, New York. The New York Times published an article about the concert on September 20, 1943. A copy of the newspaper article was proudly displayed in her home.

She completed a special music program at Newtown High School and was accepted to attend Fisk University as a Music Major. However, her plans to complete college were sidetracked after marrying the love of her life, Michael Ernest Toppin on September 9, 1950.

Doris gave birth to three daughters, Michele, Christal and Cherylynne which she raised in Rockaway Beach and Laurelton in Queens, New York. She remained devoted to playing the piano and she taught piano lessons in the home. She changed her career path through study at Hunter College in Early Childhood Education. While raising a family, she worked full-time in a daycare facility in Rockaway Beach and later after moving to Laurelton, opened a licensed day care facility, working in the childcare field for 34 years.

Doris loved traveling to as many places in the world as she possibly could see. She visited London, Paris, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Nova Scotia. Her favorite destinations in the U.S. were Hawaii and Alaska. After her retirement, she relocated to the beautiful senior development of Kings Point in Tamarac, Florida in 2002. At Kings Point and under the tutelage of Artie Tarkovsky, she studied oil painting. She became such an accomplished painter that she was able to achieve a modest income from selling some of her paintings. She also studied ballet, tap and African dancing during her retirement years, along with her continued devotion to playing concertos on her beloved baby grand Petrof piano.

Doris will be remembered especially for her zest for life that was truly inspiring, her heart full of love and her selfless sense of generosity that was always apparent as she cared for her grandchildren. She was a radiant soul with an infectious and boisterous laugh that will be well remembered. She had a sharp mind and was well liked by all who knew her. She maintained a very close life long relationship with her sister-in-law, Pamela LeMelle Gray, having known Pamela since she was six years old.

Doris leaves cherished and loving memories to her three daughters, Michele (Michael), Christal (Charles) and Cherylynne (Rev. Reginald); her grandchildren, Michael Jamaal (Ashlee), Reginald III, Chantal, Kafi (Jimi), John, Jeremy and Charlette; her great-grandchildren, Trinity, Michael Amari, Kylie, Jaden, Jalen, Parker, Dustin, Johnnae, Londyn, Gloryanna and Logan and sister-in-law Pamela (Dominic), late husband Michael, late sister Iris and late brother Charles. Doris will continue to be missed by a host of family, friends and acquaintances at The Lenox on the Lake where she lived for her remaining six years.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM the Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 15, 2024 at:

All Saints Lutheran Church

7875 W. McNab Road

Tamarac, FL. 33321