Doris Loretta Willis was born on the 22 February 1935 in David’s Hill, St Andrew Jamaica. Doris was the fifth child of eight born to mother, Clara Victorine Smith affectionately known as Mama and father Exelee Willis known as Santa. David, Lilleth, and Gwendolyn are the remaining siblings, whilst Daniel, Hubert, Cecil, and Roy are deceased.

Doris was the matriarch of a family that included six children - Gem, Charmaine, Janice, Janet, Tyehimba and Paula.  She was a grandmother to 13 - Denise, Edward, Simone, Natasha, Danielle, Ramone, Zakiya, Sheraigh, Safiya, Shaun, Qaa’sim, Andre and Shaqil. Doris was also blessed with great grandchildren Bailey, Kayden D, Araya, Jahvari and Kayden J.

Doris moved to England in 1962 and worked from late 1963 to 1969 in Loughborough at Mansfield Hosiery and from 1969 as a machine operative at John Players Horizon factory until she retired, at 53.

Following retirement, Doris continued her dedication to the Church of God (Assembly), her family, realising her educational opportunities, and volunteering at the Clarendon College Adult Education Centre and Shiefton Supplementary School.  

 Doris Loretta Clarke died peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Friday 25 February 2022.

Tributes

Phenomenal. A word that I would use to describe my Grandma. Simply phenomenal. 

She was a pivotal part of my life for 28 years, her examples of strength, courage and resilience that I grew up watching and hearing stories of, had and will continue to have, an unquantifiable impact on my life. Her pearls of wisdom will further my strength; her words of pride will fuel my courage; and her sacrifice will strengthen my resilience. 

Sheraigh Clarke

My Dearest Mother in-law,

In the time that we have known you it has been an honour and pleasure for myself, my mother (Maria), Tamika and Jason to have met you and spent time with you during these last several years.

Your strength of steel, your pearls of wisdom, your ooze of calmness and grace, your unconditional love and care, your selflessness and acceptance of us all were all but a few of your God blessed virtues. 

How we will miss you mum, in so many ways; our conversations of motherhood and life, and the stories you would tell always demonstrated that patience and faith in God would always prevail.

How we will miss the opportunities to do the things we loved and enjoyed doing for you, but we will continue to do them to ensure that the memory of our blessed mother continues to live in our hearts and souls.

Through the grief and pain of you not being near, one thing for sure Mum you’re smiling up there!

Mum, you will always be in our thoughts and prayers and your words of wisdom in our ears.

Loving and thinking of you always.

Corenna  

Grandma,

Your presence, words and kindness will forever be in my heart. You lifted my spirits in times of distress, you made sense of the chaos life can bring and brought calm to my heart. Love you always and forever, Zakiya xxx

Zakiya Noona Nosakhere

Thursday

Our Grandma was to us the sunshine on a Spring April’s day.

Grandma was the fresh air that you needed when life became all too stifling.

Grandma had the spirit that captured your heart, Grandma knew your needs and wants right from the very start.

Grandma had her own special way of watering and nurturing your soul.

Grandma always inspired us to be the best that we could be, to forget about the rest and remember that life is your very own test.

Grandma was an icon; she was wise graceful and strong. We will miss our Thursday visits when Grandma would often speak in her mother tongue.

Grandma we will miss you, the way your eyes would light up the room, and when we’d leave, you’d say “be good, and I’ll see you again soon.” We will miss your voice and you saying, “How are you little man?” Or when you agreed with me and you replied, “yes ma’am”.

Grandma I really do miss you; I wish you could come back and stay. What we both give for another one of our Thursdays. I know we must not worry as you gave your very best, it’s time now for you to take your rightful place and lay your head, on the dear lord’s chest.

You go peacefully my dear Grandma and take your well-deserved rest, for if one thing is for certain, you most definitely passed your test.

In loving memory of our Grandma and Great Grandma Doris

Written by Granddaughter Danielle Clarke and Great Grandson Jahvari Seaton (Little Man)

Losing a loved on whether it is a close friend, spouse, parents, child or relative can be a devastating loss and an awful experience. “Love is stronger than death though it cannot stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it cannot separate people from love.  It cannot take away our memories either.  In the end life is stronger than death”.

Anonymous

Oswald Willis

Mum words cannot express how I am going to miss you.  You were my rock and always there when I needed a smile or just comforting words. Love you.

Janice Johnson

Grandma, I will truly miss you and you are forever in my heart.

Andre Johnson

Grandma, from your wise words to your smile and calm relaxing energy, I miss you.

Shaun Johnson

I will truly miss you will always be in my heart especially your smile.

Kernal Johnson

Grandma was a remarkable woman.  She’s always provided us with warmth, kindness, laughter, love, and pearls of wisdom.  A silently determined, charitable and humble lady.

She was the epitome of strength, courage and putting faith into action.  She was a true warrior and alpha lioness until she took her last breath.  The matriarch of the family and an inspiration to all who met her.

She always said she was never alone as her Maker is always with her.  Although we know she is now happy with her Maker, smiling down on us and guiding us spiritually, we can’t help but miss her.

Grandma we love you and appreciate everything you did for us, our family and the local community.

You may be gone physically from this earth but will live forever through your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and future descendants.

One love, one tribe.

Natasha Brown and Eulan George

The Live Stream

The Service

The Committal