Doris Mathis Stevens

1925 - 2012

Doris Mathis Stevens passed into the arms of her Lord Jesus on Sunday, March 4, 2012.

Born Aug. 3, 1925, Doris left behind her loving family of three children, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren at the age of 86. Doris fought cancer for several years, and was happy to go home and be with her husband of 50 plus years, Donald P. Stevens, who died in 1996. Her eldest son, William (Bill) Stevens and wife Maggie, live in Georgia with his children and grandchildren, her daughter Iris Carignan and son-in-law Larry live in Thousand Oaks with their children and grandchildren, and her youngest son, Phillip Stevens, resides in Florida.

Doris was born in Smithville, Ga., to parents Wm. Roscoe and Vautez Mathis. She had two sisters, Valeria, who currently lives in South Carolina, Charlene Rollings who is deceased, and two brothers who died as boys. During WWII Doris served at a USO club in Florida where she met her husband-to-be Donald Stevens, who was in the Navy. Doris was a homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who found her greatest joy in life through her children and grandchildren. She had a zest for life and a love of people that came through in all she did.

In 1955 Doris and Don moved their family of five from Georgia to California via a homemade camper truck. She loved to entertain and welcome others into her home, so she brought her Southern hospitality with her. Her gregarious nature was paired with a willingness to lead others in all kinds of meaningful social activities. Doris spent many years serving in ladies mission organizations, helping with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-h clubs. During recent years living at Ventu Park Estates in Newbury Park, Doris was very active in organizing and leading activities for the seniors there. It was her great drive that helped accomplish a new electronic bingo board for the clubhouse at Ventu Estates.

Doris grew up in hard times and saw the effects of war and depression on the world. Her family also experienced great tragedies and loss, including the loss of two brothers in separate tragic accidents. Regardless of the pain and suffering during early years, Doris never lost her faith and positive attitude. She once wrote these encouraging words to others "We may never do great things, but we can do small things with great love." She also seemed to possess an uncanny gift of good luck.

In 1979 Doris was a contestant on the Price is Right TV program. Her bid got her into the big spin where she won $1000. She then went on to win the big Sweepstakes in the final bidding of the show. Her prizes included a fur coat, stereo system and cabinet, and a wonderful trip to the Fiji Islands. The trip with her husband Don was the trip of her life and also served to celebrate their 35 wedding anniversary.

In midlife, Doris discovered a talent for sales and became a top salesperson at Dutch jewelers in Thousand Oaks and later in the fine jewelry dept. of J.C. Penny's. Late in life also Doris tried her hand at painting and took art classes from her daughter. She produced several beautiful pieces and even joined a painting tour to France in 1999, led by her daughter Iris and her husband. Doris had a great love of gardening and for the little birds and butterflies that came to admire her flowers. Her motto in life reflected this love of nature and she expressed this once by saying: "Use me God to plant seeds of love and grow flowers of blessing. Then give them to those who helped me grow." She also loved the color purple and this "genetic" preference has been passed on to the younger generations of women.

Services will be held in Doris' honor on at 4 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village. The address of the church is: 5405 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362, phone: 818-991-8040. Donations can also be made in her honor to the Alzheimer's Association.