Doris McGordon Fleming was born on August 14, 1928 in Sabot, Virginia to the late Cephas Massey Fleming and Helen Ellis Fleming. She was the oldest of three daughters. When Doris was nine years old, her mother and father moved Doris and her younger sister Delores to Turners Station, a community just outside of Baltimore City, Maryland where her father found better work opportunities. Her youngest sister Helen (Cecil) was born in Baltimore two years later. Because her mother was often ill, Doris willingly took on the responsibility of housework and helping her parents care for her two younger sisters. This created a sister bond that would last a lifetime.

In 1951, Doris attended Morgan State College and worked part-time in a restaurant in Turners Station. She caught the eye of Zollie “Pat” Dunston, and after a few weeks of refusing to go out with him, she finally said yes, and according to her, “that was that”. Within six weeks of their first date, Doris and Pat were married, and Doris became an instant mother to his three young children Zollie Jr “Billy”, Garland, and Floretta, who had lost their mother earlier that year in a car accident. Doris and Pat were blessed with two additional children, Ricardo “Ric” and Terri. They were married for 43 years until Pat passed in 1993.

In 1960, Doris and Pat bought a home for their family on Dorchester Road in the Ashburton community, six blocks from her parents, who remained a central part of her life until they passed.

Just like her parents, Doris wanted her children to have access to opportunities that her generation didn’t. She was 37 years old when she obtained the right to vote, and she took that responsibility very seriously and voted in every election. Doris knew education was important. She encouraged her husband to get his high school diploma in his late 50s and supported their children’s pursuits in the military and college. She instilled strong values in her children that have carried through multiple generations.

Doris worked for a period of time at Stewart’s, a local retail chain in Baltimore. She started as a salesperson in the flagship store on Howard Street. Within one year, she was promoted to Assistant Buyer and, shortly after that, to Buyer of Foundations (now known as intimate apparel). She enjoyed going to New York on buying trips, eating at fancy restaurants, bringing gifts back for her family, and sharing her adventures with her children. When the retail business changed, Doris moved to a regional sales position with Stewart’s until she retired. Shortly after her retirement, Stewart’s permanently closed its doors.

Doris was a stay-at-home mother for most of her life and managed the family taxicab business. She focused on raising her children, caring for her parents, and supporting extended family. For years, the three sisters and their families would gather at their parent’s home on Sunday afternoons. She was close to her brother and sisters-in-law and their families as well, often hosting family events in her home. Doris was happiest when she was around and serving her family.

In the 50 years Doris lived on Dorchester Road, many family members and friends passed through and sat at the ‘kitchen table’ with Doris. The TV was always on, and the second refrigerator was always full. She was a great listener and had a way of telling you what you needed to hear without telling you what to do.

Doris was raised to have reverence for God, but it wasn’t until 1976 that she fell in love with Jesus and committed her life to the Lord. She joined Christian Life Church and remained a faithful member for over 30 years until she moved to California in 2012 after a brief illness to be closer to her daughter and her family. There, she began attending Saddleback Church until she could no longer attend in person. Doris was a fervent prayer warrior and led many family members and friends to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

In July 2017, Doris was diagnosed with Dementia, the disease which ultimately claimed her life. She rarely complained when hard decisions had to be made because she trusted Jesus. She continued to teach us about the love of Jesus throughout her illness.

We know there are no coincidences. As we gathered photos for her celebration of life, we found a note Doris had written on November 9, 2013, where she wrote, “finding the Lord was the key point of my life.” This date is significant because she transitioned to her eternal home on November 9, 2022.

We know Doris is with Jesus. She is free from Dementia that limited her ability to think, talk and walk. She’s free! She’s happy! And this brings a smile to our faces and peace to our hearts.

Transitioning Before Doris:

Her Parents: Cephas Fleming (1981) and Helen Ellis Fleming (1976); Her Husband: Zollie “Pat” Dunston (1993); Her Children: Floretta Mangana (2019), Zollie “Billy” Dunston, Jr. (2021); Her Sisters: Delores Green (2013) and Helen Stafford Fleming (2018); Her Brothers-in-Law (8+) and Sisters-in-Law (5+)

Cherishing Doris’ Memories:

Her Children: Garland Dunston (Sophie), Ricardo (Ric) Dunston (Gisele), Terri Dunston Wilson (Jimmy), and DeLois Gray; Her Daughter-in-Law: Mildred Dunston Her Grandchildren: Billy Andre Dunston (Jackie), Barbara Dunston, William Mangana, Jr., Eliza Dunston, Rodney Brewington, James ‘JP’ Wilson (Jenni), Kelli Dunston (Atif), Jason Wilson, Caitlin Dunston (Fran), Alexander ‘Alex’ Dunston, Kathleen Dunston and Donovan Gray Her Great Grandchildren: Ashley Dunston, Billy Dunston, Jr., Adam Dunston, Donte Farror, Isabel Mangana, Elliana Wilson, Addison Wilson, Alessandra Malik Her Great, Great Grandchildren: 5 Her Sisters-in-Law: Geraldine Battle, Ernestine Dunston. Her Brothers-in-Law: Prince Gilmore and Oliver Battle

And Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Other Family Members in the Ellis, Fleming and Dunston Families

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