Carol "Elaine" Doke

Carol “Elaine” Doke, a resident of the New Market/Huntsville area, formally of the Hoover/Birmingham area, passed away on the eve of Friday, May 15, 2020, at her home surrounded by her devoted family in Huntsville, Alabama at the age of 78 years.

Elaine spent her life dedicated to serving others. A strong self-motivator with spunk and charisma. She loved tackling new tasks, especially of the crafting and gardening variety. She was the kind of person who never said, “No.” She always had a “Can Do” attitude. She fought to her last breath, a trait that was consistent throughout her life. She always enjoyed a friendly competition of Canasta or Mexican Train. She loved watching her grandkids grow and flourish in school, on the Ice, and in life.

Elaine was born in Pomona, California, but moved to Emporia Kansas at the age of four with her dad. She called Emporia home for many years before meeting the love of her life. Elaine met Private First-class Joseph Theodore Doke, a member of the 101st Airborne Division, as she was passing through Fort Campbell, Kentucky, looking for work. There, her legacy began. She was the glue that held her family together and the wind beneath their wings. Mrs. Doke was 5’3” and 120lbs of grit, grind, and gumption, packaged with a massive, gentle heart and a green thumb. She loved to laugh and be of service to others. Post her husband’s honorable discharge from the military; she supported his career faithfully with Prudential Insurance Company by following him to many different locations and helping him advance his career, all while caring for their three children. They lived in Macon, Georgia, Sumter, South Carolina, Milton, West Virginia, Zanesville, Ohio, and Birmingham, Alabama, where the family laid roots for 22+ years. During their residency in Birmingham, after her youngest child was in college, Elaine became an entrepreneur. She opened Mr. Shoes Pizza in Vestavia, Alabama, and Alabama Pet Supply in Center Point, Alabama. After retiring, the couple moved to Huntsville to help their daughter and son-in-law with their only two grandchildren, Lauren and Marc Zito. During this time, Elaine would help steer and mold her grandchildren alongside her daughter. This mentoring would take her to co-leading girl scout troops with her daughter for Lauren, co room mothering, and co hockey mom for both Marc and Lauren. She enjoyed stretching her grandchildren to different experiences such as fishing, golfing, camping, gardening, and taking care of orphaned kittens and even a baby rabbit.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her three children, Joseph Doke Jr. (Julie) of Huntsville, Douglas Doke (Jana) of New Market, and Roxana Zito (Joe) of Huntsville. Grandchildren Lauren Zito (Fiancé Jamison Bissett), Marc Zito, and sister Doxie A. Mayer of Emporia, Kansas, along with many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Fred Peres of Yucaipa, California, her parents Mr. and Mrs. William R. Peres (Bill) of Emporia, Kansas, her godparents Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hoover of Emporia, Kansas, and her three sisters: Margret Faye “Peggy” Bliss Lauderback, Jackie Frances Bliss McGill, Carol Sue Bliss Newman, all of Yucaipa, California, and her husband Joseph T. Doke Sr. “Ted” of 59+ years.