Doris Colclough Coltrane

“Death has nothing to do with going away. The sun sets. The moon sets. But they are not gone.” – Rumi
Doris Coltrane, born Doris Ferrell was born in Alamance County in 1926, the only blue eyed, blonde hair girl in her family. She married Robert Colclough and went on to have six children, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She survived cancer several times, broke just about every major bone in her body, buried 3 children and two husbands but she still put in the effort to put on that lipstick and holiday appropriate broach. Doris was the accessory queen with a closet full of shoes to prove it, heels in her younger days and something comfortable but glitzy later in life. Doris was a social butterfly. She loved her church family, managed the West Durham Senior Center in the 90’s, enjoyed monthly lunches with friends and was sure to be decked out at every family function. Doris loved her family most of all and stated that she was most proud of raising her family and having grandchildren. We all believe that her great-grandkids were secretly her favorite! She loved cooking for her family and made a mean fried chicken. Christmas Eve at Doris’ home was a tradition the family looked forward to. She often talked about not having many toys growing up but made up for lost time with her beloved doll collection. Being the lady she was, it was rare to hear her utter a curse word but every now and then she would let one slip and it was always hilarious when she did. She made sure the family prayed before every meal, a tradition her 8-year old great-grandson Jack picked up and continues to enforce.
Doris was preceded in death by her first husband Robert Colclough, second husband David Coltrane, sons Barry and Bobby and daughter Anne Colclough. She is survived by daughter Nancy Tucker and husband Charles, Wanda Smith and husband Stan and Martha Black. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brian Tucker, Chris Tucker and wife Elissa, Sarah Black Ward and husband Nick and April Black Salinas and husband Matt as well as her great grandchildren Banks, Cadillac, Salvador, Jack, Zoey and Gus.
I think it’s best to end with a few quotes by Ms. Doris Coltrane:

"Dean Martin can put his shoes under my bed any day of the week."
“April, do you really think you need to eat that other piece of cake?”
“Didn’t make you any prettier either” (in response to a woman bragging that a cigarette had never touched her lips)
“With my fingers” (when you would ask her how she felt that day)
“I don’t like my name, I wish I had a fun name like Cathy or Marie”
Everyone who knew Doris experienced her zest for life that kept her going for 94 precious years. She will be greatly missed here on earth, but she undoubtedly leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten. Until we see you again, we love you.