Doris Mae Neely Bright, age 93, of Charlottesville, Virginia died on May 14th, 2025 at Commonwealth Senior Living in Charlottesville.

She was born on December 10th, 1931 in Sewickley, Pa, the daughter of Thomas W. Neely Jr. and Marian White Neely. Doris was the beloved wife of Howard Hugh Bright Jr.(deceased) for 64 years, and is survived by two sons, Stephen Bright and wife, Liz of Crozet, Va., and Jonathan Bright and wife, Erica of Pasadena, Md.  Doris is survived by three grandchildren, Rachel Traxler, Sarah Bright, and Daniel Bright, and two great granddaughters, Abigail and Margaret Traxler. Doris is survived by her sister Suzanne Ehmann of Pittsburgh, Pa., and was preceded in death by two sisters, Marianne Gokey and Virginia Harriger.

Doris grew up in Sewickley, Pa., downriver from Pittsburgh. She was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, and received her master degree in Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1987. In 1968 she began teaching 4th grade in Buckhannon, WV and taught for the Upshur County School System for 25 years.

Doris lived life to the fullest. She was recognized as an accomplished water color artist, winning many awards with her paintings as a member of the West Virginia Water Color Society. Gardening was a passion she inherited from her father, and she spent many hours in the garden with her flowers and vegetables. Cooking was an important part of her life and a way she brought family together. An avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan, she followed the Bucs through thick and thin, and was fortunate to witness Mazeroski’s walk-off homer in the 7th game of the 1960 World Series. She loved music and sang in the church choir.  Many of her creative abilities and interests carry on in her children and grandchildren.

A memorial service for family will be held at a later date at the Sewickley United Methodist Church, and interment will be in the Sewickley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Virginia Wesleyan College Fund, attention Advancement Office, 59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201.