DORIS LEE SOWERS ROYALL

ROYALL, Doris Lee Sowers, 83, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. She was the eldest of three daughters born to Clifford Eli and Belva Porter Sowers in Amelia, Va. Doris was the valedictorian of her Amelia High School graduating class. She traveled to the 'big city' of Richmond to attend The Pan American Business School where she graduated in 1947. Her first job was with the Virginia State Highway Department where she met Freddie Royall, the love of her life. After marrying in September 1949, she and Freddie started raising a family. She loved to cook, clean, decorate, garden, dance, play the piano, write wonderful letters, and she was a detailed family historian. While raising her family, she also worked for First & Merchants Bank, Raab & Company and the C&O Railway (CSX). She cared for her elderly parents and 'special needs' sister and after 'retiring' from CSX, she worked for the Rights for the Disabled and the Ethyl Corporation. She knew the value of family and hard work. Doris was a devoted daughter and sister, loving wife, wonderful mother, Amma and Great-Amma. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Frederick Louis Royall, who was her best friend and sweetheart. She is survived by her devoted children, Teresa Carolyn Royall, Trudy Kathryn Levins (Michael), Leah Jane Royall, all of Richmond, Va. and her son, Frederick Louis Royall Jr. of Portland, Oregon. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Shannon Christine Edwards (Chip); and two precious great-grandchildren whom she adored, Chase and Emilee Reece Edwards of New Kent, Va.; as well as her loving sister, Judy Mansini of Midlothian, Va. She battled the debilitating illness of sarcoidosis for over 40 years and her family would like to thank the doctors who cared for her enabling her to survive to be with those she loved dearly. A visitation to celebrate Doris's life will be held for family and friends 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 3 at Bliley's-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Road. A graveside service and interment will held 10 a.m. Monday, February 4 at Holy Cross Cemetery, 1628 Matthews Street. Memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research at www.stopsarcoidosis.org.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.