Doris Dejoie

Doris Theresa Raphael Dejoie, age 85, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, with her daughter, Lisa, and Randy at her side. Doris was born May 12, 1940, in Baton Rouge, LA, to the late Bernard Francis and Doris Ann (Payne) Raphael.

Growing up in New Orleans, Doris was baptized early in life at Corpus Christi Catholic Church where she also received the sacrament of the Eucharist while in elementary school and the sacrament of confirmation while attending Xavier Preparatory High School. While in high school, she began dating the love of her life, Roy Martin Dejoie, who was attending St. Augustine High School at the time. Doris graduated as valedictorian of her high school class in 1958 and accepted a scholarship to attend Xavier University in New Orleans.

She and Roy were married on January 28, 1961; in May, Doris received her B.S. in Chemistry from Xavier University of New Orleans and shortly thereafter joined Roy in England where he had begun serving a tour in the U.S. Air Force. While there, they began their family – Roy Jr. was born in May 1963; Doris "Anne" soon followed in October 1964. The family returned to the States in the spring of 1965, where Doris taught Chemistry until 1969 at her college alma mater and Roy returned to finish college. Their daughter, Lisa, was born in September 1969.

They raised their children in New Orleans until May 1975, when Roy was transferred to Houston, Texas. They immediately joined Prince of Peace Catholic Church, where Doris volunteered and served on various committees for almost 50 years. Her first involvement in the parish was as a member of the Outreach Committee. She served six years on the Pastoral Council and was active with the youth ministry and the Keenagers. She was actively involved with faith formation programs and enjoyed babysitting the children of volunteer teachers. She was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and guided many to Christian faith as an instructor of OCIA – the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) that emphasizes personal growth in faith and integration into the Church community. And as part of Mission 2000, she served on the Memorial Gift, Prayer, and Physically Challenged task forces. She routinely attended weekday morning mass and was so immersed in her church activities that her family often joked that she had a "red-hot phone line directly to Jesus!" She was a strong woman of faith and made sure that her children (and grandchildren) not only knew "about" Jesus but also developed their own devout relationships with him at a young age.

When Roy passed unexpectedly in 1988 at the early age of 48, Doris drew strength from her faith, raising and guiding their children who were still navigating college, and eventually, parenthood of their own. She continued playing in the local bridge group that she and Roy had been members of for quite some time and continued nurturing those deep friendships, many of which still exist. She enjoyed challenging her mind and worked part-time for H&R Block, RomSar Inc., and Taxes And…, even returning to college to pursue an associate's degree in data processing, which she received in 1987, the same year that Lisa, Anne and Roy Jr. received high school, bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively.

Doris loved her faith, family and friends immensely. She loved good southern food; she loved to dance; she had a great sense of humor, a beautiful smile and an infectious personality. She had a deep affection for felines and opened her home and her arms to several "fur-babies" whom she loved and considered "family," even taking Meong with her to Brookdale. She found great joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to celebrate milestone events with them in Houston, Louisiana, Indiana, or anywhere else they happened to be at the time. In the past two years, despite her Alzheimer's illness, she developed a very special bond with her great-grandson, Malachi, who was the "twinkle" in her eye until her passing.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Doris Ann; her husband, Roy; and her siblings Bernard J. Raphael and Jacquelyn Bonnee. She is survived by her siblings James F. Raphael (Judy), Martin Raphael Sr. and sister-in law Lynne Raphael; her children Roy Jr. (Cherie), Doris "Anne" Lucas (Calvin), and Lisa Dejoie (Randy); her grandchildren/bonus grandchildren Julianne Pollard (Mark), Makenna, Maya, Arianna, Roy III "Trey", Sophia, Katelyn, Dominic, Kristy, Calvin Jr. (Christian), Isabella, and Cole; her great-grandson Malachi, and bonus-greats Kayla, Braylin, Omari, London, Nicholas, Prince and Jeremiah; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and lifetime friends, all of whom had a special place in her heart as they shared this amazing life journey with her!

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff and care team at Brookdale Champions Memory Care for their dedicated compassion and care of Doris during her final years; also, to Highland Hospice care team who offered guidance and solace for the family in Doris's final hours.

A mass of Christian burial was held at Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Houston, Texas, in November. Doris will be laid to rest with her husband, Roy, at St. Louis Cemetery #3, 3421 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, on Saturday, December 20, 2025, following a graveside service at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at Heart 2 Heart Church Hall, 3629 Washington Ave.

Doris was fond of quoting the poem title "Give me my flowers while I am living!" … and family and friends did just that! So, we ask in lieu of flowers, you honor Doris by considering a donation to the Alzheimer's Association of America, the American Heart Association, or Xavier University of New Orleans.