Doris L. McLeod

Doris L. McLeod, age 90 passed on Friday, March 13, 2020 at Central Carolina Hospital, Sanford, NC.

A Celebration of Life

Doris Louise Garrett Gregory McLeod began her earthly journey on May 18, 1929.  She was the second born to the late Louise Johnson and Earl Garrett, Sr. in Montclair, New Jersey.  Doris was the second born of four siblings, the late Ruth Garrett Washington, Dr. Earl Garrett Jr., and the late Robert Allan Garrett. She transitioned to her Heavenly Father peacefully on March 13, 2020 at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, NC.

Doris was baptized at an early age at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey. In Montclair, she grew up with loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.  She always loved to tell the stories about growing up in a big, close-knit family. Upon moving to Sanford, she was a faithful member of Blandonia Presbyterian Church until her health declined.

After graduating from Montclair High School, Doris started her employment journey working in hospitals and local offices until she found her calling as a telephone operator for New Jersey Bell (now Verizon). Doris' exceptional service was recognized by the press. She was honored for being an excellent team leader/supervisor and a stellar operator in an article in the Montclair Times for helping international callers with compassion and understanding. She retired after 26 years of extraordinary, dedicated service in 1991.

Doris was united in marriage to the love of her life, the late Berene McLeod, on July 18, 1970. To this union Berene brought three beautiful young daughters.  She would often recount how she captured the attention of this dapper dressed gentleman, Berene Dumont McLeod, at the bus stop when Berene was taking the girls to church or school in East Orange, NJ.  After several years in Irvington, NJ, they relocated to her husband's hometown of Sanford, NC.  Doris helped raise the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was looking forward to being in the life of her great-great-grandchildren.  She took great pride in mentoring her granddaughter, (Alisa) Michelle while helping her raise her 3 children-(Vincente Jr.) Jay, Tiandra, and Kyla in her loving, nurturing home with her husband.  She proudly and always affectionately referred to Michelle and her children as "my children."
 
Doris' loving, compassionate, giving spirit was always present.  She loved to laugh and cherished genuine fellowship.  She was always kind, considerate, and concerned about the welfare of others.

Doris leaves a legacy of family to cherish her memories:
Children – Sandra Person, Sanford, NC, (Cleta) Jeannette McLeod, Montclair, NJ, Diannette Jackson, Cary, NC.
Five (5) Grandchildren –(Alisa)Michelle, Andrea, Tonika, Ailia and Julian Berene
Fourteen (14) Great-Grandchildren including Tiandra Baldwin, (Vincente Jr.) Jay Baldwin, Kyla Baldwin all of Sanford, NC

Brother: Dr. Earl Garrett, Jr.  Columbia, SC
Nieces: Cynthia Washington Jeffries (Marshall) Winston-Salem, NC, Pastor Stephanie Garrett McKenny (Levern) Columbia, SC
Nephew: Charles J. Washington, III (Robyn) Houston, TX
Cousins: James B. Williams Montclair, NJ.

Doris will be greatly missed by a host of other relatives and friends who loved her dearly. Also a very special thank you to all of her caregivers and staffs of Liberty Home Care and Hospice,  Dr. John Mangum, Dr. Stephen Jurisich, Dr. Roger Ernest, Dr. Michael Gillespie, Dr. Kaushik Sen, Dr. Miles Whitaker,  Mrs. Earline and Miss Alexandria Jackson of Empire Garden Lymphedema Services, Mrs. Cindy White and the Bayberry Retirement Home, and Royal Oaks Assisted Living Facility for their loving care and support in her later years.

Professional Services Entrusted to: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford