Doris Taylor Coffey

Doris Taylor was born on August 19, 1915 to James Ernest Taylor and Annie Michael Batson in Beinville, Louisiana. She passed away at home in Bakersfield July 17, 2014. As a young woman she excelled in high school. Upon graduation the principle sat down with her and encouraged her to go to college but as she described it, her family was poor and not able to send her. Doris was an intelligent woman and always proud of receiving her diploma. She married William Taft Coffey in Louisiana on June 30, 1935. Together they followed work to California in 1936 and worked in the fields until they could get their own 40 acres near White Lane and Wible roads south of Bakersfield. After a short time they sold that land and bought a corner lot on the edge of town at Oak and Brundage where they built and ran a gas station. After four years at the station they sold it and the desire to farm took them out to Rosedale where they bought land on Jenkins Road. The last move they made was to purchase property adjacent to the previously owned gas station on Brundage Lane. There they built a storefront with three tenants and officially retired from farming. They also purchased land nearby on Pine Street and built Doris her lovely home that she treasured for 59 years.

Doris supported all her husband's endeavors and they were married 50 years until his passing in 1985. She was also devoted to her two daughters Sue Ellen and Carolyn. Doris lived a graceful, sacrificial and rewarding life caring for her daughter Carolyn who was born mentally challenged.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband William Taft Coffey and her daughter Sue Ellen Coffey Millard Hickson. She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Coffey, granddaughters Sandra Millard and Judy (husband James) Corbett, great-grandchildren Bradley (fiance Katie) Corbett, Lauren Corbett, Brenner Corbett, Erin (husband Aaron) Baldwin (and their children Makayla, Bobby, Sarah and Caleb) along with many loved nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

The family sincerely wants to thank all the special caregivers who became like family during the last few years of Doris's life. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 25, with viewing at 9 a.m. and service at 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield.