Our beloved Doris grew up in San Francisco, CA's Mission District where she eventually met her husband, Raymond Joseph Oakes, Jr., who preceded her in death in March of 2022. The two of them have 5 surviving children born between 1958 and 1970. They were blessed with many grand and great-grandchildren. She and Ray were married for 66 years. Doris leaves her 11 year old Yorkie-Poo, Rolo, in the loving care of her son Matthew, and his husband, Korey.
Doris and Ray moved to the Central Coast in the late 1950s, first living in Lompoc, then moving permanently to Orcutt/Santa Maria in 1978. She worked hard as a wife, mother, homemaker, and devoted friend to many in her community.
Doris became a member of Unity Church of Santa Maria in 1994. Her pastor, James "PJ" Schrotel, quickly saw the divine spark in her and eagerly urged her to take spiritual classes sponsored by Unity. She also joined Toastmasters to learn public speaking. She won awards for her often humorous talks at those meetings. In 2004, Doris achieved her Licensed Unity Teacher credentials. This allowed her to teach courses at church and occasionally give the Sunday lessons. She even served as the interim minister for 10 months after "PJ" retired.
Doris held so many jobs at Unity of Santa Maria, and her legacy is everywhere. Aside from teaching and speaking, she served as a board member, a greeter, and a prayer chaplain. She was a level-3 reiki master that helped host healing sessions at the church for many years. On Sunday mornings, she would be the first person to open the church and prepare it for the Sunday service. She ran the bookstore for quite some time and she managed a team of church members while hosting the bookstore up at Asilomar retreats, two years in a row. This was a successful venture that raised a lot of money for Unity of Santa Maria.
When not working at church, Doris held a book club in her home on Monday evenings for over 20 years. There was a lot of good conversation, laughter, and always treats, of course. Her beautiful Aussie/Border Collie, Blue(y) was always present, which just added to the good times.
Doris was a faithful financial contributor to Unity, and she also donated many gifted items, such as a beautiful table that sits up on the church's altar area.
Doris was a feisty soul, always ready to give her opinion, and at the same time she was a gentle soul that was always there to comfort and support others. She was also a devoted "mama bear" that would protect anyone that needed it.
She is so loved by her youngest son, Matthew, and his husband, Korey (whose wedding she officiated at her home in 2008). Doris also kept in touch with her daughter Pam, who lives in Seattle, WA, and they had many good conversations together.
To say that Doris "had a green thumb" is an understatement. She was a consummate gardener/horticulturalist. She designed and created amazing gardens at every home she owned and she once won an award from the "Santa Maria Beautiful Society". Doris was so environmentally conscious, that she chose to have her arrangements done through Earth Funeral.
As with everything else, Doris pampered and adored her many pets over the years.
The light of Doris Oakes shined brightly in Life, and we know that she continues to shine in Spirit. Her memory will live on and she will be in our hearts forever.
A Celebration of Life will be held at church in the coming early months of 2026.
Stay tuned for details: [email protected]
Unity of Santa Maria
1165 Stubblefield Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Doris and Ray moved to the Central Coast in the late 1950s, first living in Lompoc, then moving permanently to Orcutt/Santa Maria in 1978. She worked hard as a wife, mother, homemaker, and devoted friend to many in her community.
Doris became a member of Unity Church of Santa Maria in 1994. Her pastor, James "PJ" Schrotel, quickly saw the divine spark in her and eagerly urged her to take spiritual classes sponsored by Unity. She also joined Toastmasters to learn public speaking. She won awards for her often humorous talks at those meetings. In 2004, Doris achieved her Licensed Unity Teacher credentials. This allowed her to teach courses at church and occasionally give the Sunday lessons. She even served as the interim minister for 10 months after "PJ" retired.
Doris held so many jobs at Unity of Santa Maria, and her legacy is everywhere. Aside from teaching and speaking, she served as a board member, a greeter, and a prayer chaplain. She was a level-3 reiki master that helped host healing sessions at the church for many years. On Sunday mornings, she would be the first person to open the church and prepare it for the Sunday service. She ran the bookstore for quite some time and she managed a team of church members while hosting the bookstore up at Asilomar retreats, two years in a row. This was a successful venture that raised a lot of money for Unity of Santa Maria.
When not working at church, Doris held a book club in her home on Monday evenings for over 20 years. There was a lot of good conversation, laughter, and always treats, of course. Her beautiful Aussie/Border Collie, Blue(y) was always present, which just added to the good times.
Doris was a faithful financial contributor to Unity, and she also donated many gifted items, such as a beautiful table that sits up on the church's altar area.
Doris was a feisty soul, always ready to give her opinion, and at the same time she was a gentle soul that was always there to comfort and support others. She was also a devoted "mama bear" that would protect anyone that needed it.
She is so loved by her youngest son, Matthew, and his husband, Korey (whose wedding she officiated at her home in 2008). Doris also kept in touch with her daughter Pam, who lives in Seattle, WA, and they had many good conversations together.
To say that Doris "had a green thumb" is an understatement. She was a consummate gardener/horticulturalist. She designed and created amazing gardens at every home she owned and she once won an award from the "Santa Maria Beautiful Society". Doris was so environmentally conscious, that she chose to have her arrangements done through Earth Funeral.
As with everything else, Doris pampered and adored her many pets over the years.
The light of Doris Oakes shined brightly in Life, and we know that she continues to shine in Spirit. Her memory will live on and she will be in our hearts forever.
A Celebration of Life will be held at church in the coming early months of 2026.
Stay tuned for details: [email protected]
Unity of Santa Maria
1165 Stubblefield Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Doris Helen Oakes, please visit our flower store.
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