Doris Melvin Kingry
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Doris Melvin Kingry, 94, of Milton, FL died peacefully at her home Saturday, May 7, 2022.
Doris was born in Milton on February 29, 1928, to the late Arthur and Charity Melvin and was the eldest of three children.
After graduating Salutatorian from Milton High School, Doris married and raised what became a blended family. She took care of her children while holding down jobs as an administrative assistant with Farmers Home Administration, inspector for Whiting Field Naval Housing and a contract analyst at NAS Pensacola. While still working, she earned her BA from the University of West Florida, 1977, and Masters in Educational Leadership, cum laude, UWF, 1980. She strongly believed in life-long learning and enrolled in advanced courses in literature and journalism at UWF, UF and the University of Cambridge, England. She served on the Santa Rosa County School Board (1970-1978) with the distinction of being the first woman in the county to be elected to public office. She was also the Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year (1971). She taught English, Business English and Journalism, served as department chair, and sponsored the Panther's Tale student newspaper, and many extracurricular honorary and service clubs at Milton High School from 1979-1990 when she semi-retired. She traveled all over the world, but continued stints of teaching at the former Pensacola Junior College, UWF and Santa Rosa County schools until the late 90s. She earned many professional certifications and honors throughout her career. She served on numerous committees including the First Judicial District Nominating Committee. Along the way, she found time to volunteer for the American Red Cross, serving as Executive Director, and was active in Phi Delta Kappa, the Retired Teachers Association, the West Florida Literary Federation, UWF Leisure Learning Society, RSVP, and many others. Upon full retirement she continued to travel extensively and free-lanced, authoring and self-publishing two children's books, contributing articles to various local publications; most recently she wrote Reminisces chronicling entertaining historical tales of local life. She was a founding member of East Side Baptist Church in Milton and later an active member of First Baptist Church, (especially her Sunday school class where she had many life-long friends) in Milton.
Doris is preceded in death by husband, Cecil Harvey Kingry, Sr.; son, Jamie Lee Hall; daughter, Phyllis Kingry; and sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Pat Losee.
Doris leaves a loving family of four sons, three daughters-in-law, a daughter and son-in-law, a brother and sister-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many beloved cousins, nephews and nieces and special, long-time friends.
The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church in Milton on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, from 2-3 p.m. with service immediately following at the same location. Dr. David Spencer will be officiating. The private interment will be at Bagdad Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jeff Melvin, Pat Melvin, Jeremy Melvin, Emory Melvin, Tim Dawson and Jimmy Stevens. Honorary Pallbearer, Mac Crisco.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Emerald Coast Hospice in Milton. The family is grateful to Emerald Coast Hospice staff and Janice Meyermann for their tender, loving care of our mother during her illness.
Lewis Funeral Home of Milton is entrusted with arrangements. You may view the obituary and express condolences at [email protected].