Doris Kirk

Doris Ermal (Cross) Kirk, age 94, passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022.

Funeral services will be on Friday, January 28 at 2pm at Black Jack Baptist Church in Caldwell, Texas, with Pastor Brother Ellis Mckinzie officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 12:00 pm noon until the start of the service. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Guests are invited back to the church fellowship hall for a meal and celebration of life, after the services.

Doris was born on May 4, 1927, to John David Cross and Christine Ellen (Ward) Cross in Hufsmith, Tx. She grew up in the area, living in Plantersville, Pinehurst and Magnolia areas before settling in Houston, TX, until moving in with her daughter in 2018.  She graduated from Magnolia High School in 1945. She had her first child, Delores (Bradshaw) Graves, August 18, 1946, at age 19. Later she married Paul Ellis Kirk on February 13, 1950, and they had one child together, Doris Virginia Kirk, born July 31, 1950. They were married til his death on June 24, 2004.

Doris was a dedicated mother to her two children and a homemaker. In her early years she spent her time caring for them which included the meticulous and intensive care of her second child, Doris Virginia, who was born with hydrocephalus and passed away September 8, 1968, at the age of 18.

Later in life, she kept the books and accounting records for her husband’s trucking business. For many years, she also worked for Medco medical supplies as a bookkeeper. She was an immaculate records keeper even in her own daily life. When she wasn't keeping records for a job, she would often have her three granddaughters.

Doris was athletic and stayed very active. In her 60’s, she began playing tennis and it quickly became her favorite hobby. She was very competitive at any game she played. If she played, she played to win!  She played on a senior Olympics tennis team in Houston and won numerous medals and trophies. Doris was fun to be around, and she made many friends through tennis clubs. She also enjoyed card games and dominoes, with moon and 42 being her favorites. She also enjoyed shooting BB guns and throwing horseshoes. She was also a "do it yourselfer". It was not uncommon to drive up to her home and find her cutting grass, or under the hood of her car.

Doris never sat still; she would often remind others that “time’s a-wastin’!”. She lived to the fullest. At age 80 she started dancing for the first time, and she enjoyed country western music. Her favorite song was by Freddie Fender, Before the next teardrop falls.

Doris lived a very simple life who didn't believe in wanting anything unnecessary.  She loved her family and doted on them. She was a very generous, caring and giving person who would help anyone in need.  Doris was also a caregiver to many elderly friends and relatives over the years. She was selfless and her nature was to help others.

Doris was of Christian faith and was baptized at Black Jack Baptist church by Bro Ellis Mckinzie on September 16, 2018, where she is a member.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Surviving loving family includes: daughter Dee Graves (husband Fred); grandchildren Donna Petri, Sonya Graves-Zinn, Brenda Floyd, and Lance Graves; great-grandchildren Ashlee Petri, Weslee Hein, Chance Hein, Kristin Graves (husband Christofer Vowell), Whitnee Floyd, MaKenzie Floyd, Dillon Graves, Crystal Graves, and Larene Graves-LaVeck; great-great-grandchildren Dyllan Loehr, Zoiee Hein, Lamar Hein, River Vowell and Hayden LeVeck;  nieces Betty Jean Patterson and Rhonda Summerlin, nephews Shelby Cross and William Cross Jr. and numerous great-nieces and nephews, great- great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Doris is preceded in death by parents John David Cross and Christine Ellen (Cross) Sanders; husband Paul; daughter Doris Virginia Kirk; grandson Lamar Graves; siblings William Cross, Joe Cross, Susie Alewine, and Norma Moore; nephews Rober Lee Philpot, and Jerry Summerlin; nephew in- law William "Bill" Patterson and niece Eileen Summerlin.

Honoring her life, Doris will be led to her final resting place by Pallbearers Weslee Hein, Chance Hein, Christofer Vowell, Dyllan Loehr, CJ Bartek, and James McGuire.

Honorary pallbearers are son-in-law Fred Graves and his brother David Wilson. Nephews Shelby Cross and William Cross, Jr.

Memorials may be made in her honor to Black Jack Baptist Church.