Doris Lawson

Doris Glover Phillips was born on February 6, 1928, to parents Arlean Glover and Jasper Phillips. The couple was originally from Alabama, but relocated to Logan, West Virginia, where they married and had Doris. As a teenager growing up in Logan, Doris attended Aracoma High School where she met Charles Sylvester Lawson. They eventually married in 1957, and a job opportunity at Ford Motor Company led them to Detroit, Michigan. Together they had three children: Lynne Arlene, Kaye Michelle, and Kevin Charles. While Charles worked, Doris stayed home to raise the children, and did volunteer work at their elementary school.

After the marriage ended Doris obtained employment at a nursing home, and then at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital in the housekeeping department. At DOH, Doris made many good friends and received awards for her outstanding job performance. When DOH closed its doors, Doris retired from work.

Doris was a loving and supportive mother to Lynne, Michelle and Kevin. She pushed them to excel in school which ultimately led to each of them pursuing some form of higher education: Lynne with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University; Michelle with a bachelor’s in Sociology from University of Michigan and Master’s in Educational Leadership from EMU; and Kevin attending Detroit College of Business which prepared him for a successful career as an entrepreneur. Doris had a major influence on the raising of her grandchildren as well – two of whom went on to graduate with honors from Howard University, one who is a current student at EMU, one in middle school, and one still in elementary.

Doris was fanatical about sports, with great love for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, and Michigan Wolverines in particular. She was known to quote player statistics and knew the players by name. She would regularly schedule her days around athletic events on TV and loved wearing team apparel such as t-shirts and jerseys.

Doris loved being outdoors. She enjoyed tending to her flower beds and took great care to make her yard attractive and vibrant. A favorite pastime was sitting on the porch when the weather permitted, greeting friends and neighbors and just enjoying the fresh air.

Over the years Doris was active with the Holmur Street Block Club, served as an officer in the organization, and hosted several events in her home.

Doris had a strong relationship with God, which sustained her throughout her life. The Lord called Doris home on March 25. She leaves to mourn daughter Lynne (Terry); daughter Michelle (James); son Kevin (Ciceley); grandchildren Kamilah (Rudy), Brittany, Jamie, Kayla, and Kennedy; great grandson Shomari; and a host of extended family members and friends.