Doris V. Haven

YORKTOWN - Doris Virginia Mills Haven, born Nov. 20, 1916, in Hampton, Va., to the late Clifton and Annye Mills, passed away on Nov. 20, 2009.
She was preceded in death by her only sister, Helen Mills Antoniewicz.
In her early years, Doris and family moved to Newport News and later to York County, where she resided the remainder of her life. Doris graduated from Morrison High School, which later became Warwick High School. She attended Mary Washington College, where she earned her Normal Professional teaching certificate. She taught in Yorktown Elementary School for 19 years before becoming a teacher in the Grace Episcopal Day School in Yorktown. Her love and concern for children brought great joy and pleasure to her life. She was delighted when, on many occasions, a former student would recognize her with kind memories of the past.
Doris was a lifelong member of Grafton Christian Church, where she served in many capacities. She was a member of the church cemetery committee, which established perpetual care for the cemetery. She served as a Deaconess, Sunday school teacher and assisted in organizing the first young women's guild, which later became the Christian Women's Fellowship and is now known as Disciples' Women. She cherished the fellowship of the wonderful church members.
She was a charter member of the Yorktown Woman's Club, a member of the York County Retired Teachers Association, and a charter member of the Waterman's Museum, where she was a volunteer for many years. She also served on the board of the York County Meals on Wheels.
Doris enjoyed gardening, fishing, and especially traveling. She was an avid reader of American history.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Dexter Stearns Haven; her daughter, Penny Haven Harris and her husband, Shawn Curtis Harris; a niece, Susan Antoniewicz; a brother-in-law, Ted Antoniewicz; and two devoted cousins, Bob Crockett, Ann Sulzberger and her husband, Bill.
A funeral service will be held at noon Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at Grafton Christian Church. Friends are invited to visit with the family in the church from 11 a.m. until service time. Interment will be in the church cemetery, followed by a reception in the church social hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to the Memorial Fund of Grafton Christian Church, 109 Brick Church Road, Grafton, VA 23692, or to the charity of your choice. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.