Doris Gray Dawson Flythe

MILWAUKEE, NC - Doris Gray Dawson Flythe, born April 19, 1927, in Spivey's Corner, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the age of 98, at ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, North Carolina.
Doris grew up on her family's dairy farm, where she also worked in tobacco fields. Her early life instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love for the simple joys of life. She pursued higher education at East Carolina Teacher's College (ECTC), earning a bachelor's degree. During her time there, she dedicated herself to student teaching in Conway, North Carolina.
On December 27, 1949, Doris married Leon Flythe, with whom she shared 56 wonderful years of marriage until his passing. As a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she cherished spending time with her family. Doris had a great love for reading, quilting, sewing, crafting, music, gardening, and bird watching. Her adventurous spirit led her to travel across all 50 states, leaving her with many treasured memories.
Her professional life as an administrative assistant and bookkeeper for Flythe Brothers was marked by diligence and integrity. Doris also played an active role in Zion Methodist Church in Conway, NC, where her strong faith was evident through the various capacities in which she served.
Doris's loving nature and kind spirit will be remembered by her surviving family: her children Sandra Boone and husband Otis; Joseph Flythe and wife Wanda; Cathy Hatcher and husband James; Michael Flythe and wife Tina; and Blake Flythe and wife Melinda all of Milwaukee. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Lee (Courtney), Justin (Anna), Angela (Jay), Alyssa, Ashley (John), Camren (Dustin); and great-grandchildren Dylan, Isaac, Isabel, Dawson, Colton, Reagan, and Lainey. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law Kay Flythe and caregiver Jennifer Peele; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Doris was preceded in death by her beloved parents Joseph Washington Dawson and Betty McLamb Dawson; her dear husband, Leon Flythe; her cherished daughter, Julia Ann Flythe; and her siblings Dumas Dawson, Mafalda Aman, Joe Mac Dawson, Norvell Dawson, Norma Garris, Signey Dawson, Anne Rouse, and twin sister Mary Dawson.
Friends and family will gather to honor Doris's life on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square, NC 27869. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 13 at 11:00 AM at Zion Methodist Church, Conway, NC with burial following at Milwaukee Cemetery in Milwaukee, NC.
Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be given directly to Zion Methodist Church, C/O Susan Taylor, 719 Fire Tower Road, Jackson, NC, 27845 or online by clicking here.
The family extends a special heartfelt thank you to the staff of Pine Forest Rest Home for their love and dedicated care for Doris during her stay for the last several months.
Online condolences can be made at www.garrettsykesfs.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square, NC 27869. For more information, please call (252) 539-1001.