Doris was born in Columbia on February 22, 1925, and was the oldest child of the late Adele and Norman Marshá. Doris attended elementary school and junior high school in Columbia and was a graduate of Dreher High School. In 1943 she met and eloped with John A. Wilson, and together they had six children.
Doris was a pillar of strength. After losing three children before they reached the age of six, she stormed the doors of White’s in the newly built Richland Mall, where she became a buyer for hosiery, then handbags, then accessories, then fashion jewelry, and then finally fine jewelry. She was a mentor to many of the young women, giving them the opportunity to earn money to help their families, pay for college, and to learn the trade.
She retired from White’s in 1988. Not being one to sit idle, Doris devoted her time to serving others by volunteering at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Doris served on the Financial Council and the Capital Campaign Committees, both in 1991 and 1997. Doris was a proud and long-time member of the Women’s Guild and happily served as president. For 18 years, she served as a Eucharistic Minister.
Doris volunteered with Catholic Charities and her involvement helped lead to the formation of the board of directors, which Doris served as vice-president. As active as she was in the church, her proudest and highest honor was being nominated as Catholic Woman of the Year.
Doris not only gave her time to her faith, but also to her community. In 1993-94, she was second vice-president of the Women’s Club and in 1994-95 was installed as president. As a woman who broke glass ceilings, Doris was president of the Richland Mall Business and Professional Women. In 2014 Doris was presented with the Loyalty and Service Award for seven decades of commitment to her brothers and sisters of the Syrian-Lebanese American Society of South Carolina.
Among her family, friends, co-workers, and those who knew her well, Doris is most remembered for serving as Chair of the “Let me tell you what to do and didn’t I tell you not to do that” Committee. When Doris spoke, everyone listened, even the priest, no one stood a chance against her.
She leaves behind her loving children, John A. Wilson, Jr. (Elaine), Marian (Steven), and Kathy (Dirk); nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; her loyal four-legged companion Kris; one brother, Steve Marshá (Joy); and two sisters, Adele Weathersbee (Hayden) and Norma Davis. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, John Wilson, her husband of seven years, Jim Woest; and four children, Marsha Ann, Sharon, Norman, and Angie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine Street. The interment will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery immediately following the Mass, followed by a Celebration of Life reception at St. Joseph’s Pastoral Center. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by the reciting of the Rosary.
Memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Church.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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