Hettie Irene Doss

Service Details

Service for Hettie will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00AM at Greater Grace Temple Church, 522 N. Memorial Drive, Racine 53404. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM at the church. Interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, where Hettie will be laid to rest with her husband, Lewis.

You may witness at the service via livestream by clicking on the link below

https://youtu.be/oGCE_V52lJ4

Hettie Irene Jones was born on September 7, 1934 to Andrew & Mimmie (nee Smith) Jones Jr., in Tupelo, Mississippi. Named after her paternal grandmother, Hettie was the eldest child of 9 children born to Andrew and Mimmie.  She attended and graduated from Verona High School.

On September 12, 1953, Hettie was united in holy matrimony to Lewis Lemar Doss at Black Oak A.M.E. Baptist Church in Okolona, Mississippi. Lewis was part of the United States Armed Forces and as the family began to grow, they moved to Racine, Wisconsin. The Lord blessed this union with 9 children, 6 girls and 3 boys. In 1981, Hettie friended Pamella Myrie, her daughter’s piano teacher, who at the time was an expecting immigrant in need. Pam’s baby was welcomed into the family when she was born and was raised by the Doss’.

Hettie completed four years at University of Milwaukee and two years at the University of Madison, earning a certificate and degree as a personal assistant. She worked as an Institutional Assistant at St. Luke’s Hospital for a few years before going to work for Southern Colony, now known as Southern Wisconsin Center in Union Grove, WI. This is where Hettie worked until the time of her retirement in 1988, spending seventeen years working in the office and the remainder of her time working with the residents of Southern Colony. It warmed her heart to help and to give a loving touch from God to all the residents there. At times, Mother Doss would welcome them into her home to spend time with her own family.

In July 1957, Hettie received the gift of salvation at 12^th Street Church under the leadership of Bishop W.L. Morris. On that same night, she was filled with the Holy Ghost and her life was never the same. Sister Doss began her spiritual journey, giving total surrender to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She and her husband made church a priority for their family. In 1965, 12^th Street Church relocated to 522 N Memorial Dr. and the church was renamed Grace Temple. When Pastor Jettie L. Cornett was installed as Pastor of Grace Temple Church of God in Christ in 1971, Sister Doss was blessed with the title “Mother Doss” that same year. Mother Doss served at Grace Temple Church for many years. You would find her teaching Sunday School, helping in the kitchen, or leading the Young Women’s Christian Council (YWCC) classes.

In 1992, Mother Doss’s eldest son, Elder Lewis L. Doss Jr., was appointed as Pastor of United Church of God in Christ. With the Lord’s leading and the blessing of Pastor Cornett, Elder Doss Sr. and Mother Doss joined Pastor Doss Jr. at United Church of God in Christ. There was more work to be done in the kingdom. This same year, Wisconsin 3^rd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, under the leadership of the late Bishop J.C. Williams, installed its newest District Missionary Mother Hettie I. Doss, to the C.H. Mason District with The Late Superintendent Walter L. Fields Sr. She then served as District Missionary with The Late Superintendent Herbert L. Robinson in the New Life District.

District Missionary Doss served in various capacities related to the Women’s Department in 3^rd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Wisconsin while serving under State Supervisor Mother Artaska King. These included being a member of the Examining & Executive Boards, Executive Secretary, Counselor, Chauffeur and travel companion. She was highly respected and loved by everyone in the Jurisdiction.

After the death of Pastor Lewis Doss Jr., Mother Doss’ son Elder Curtis Doss was installed as Pastor of United Church of God in Christ. Mother Doss continued to be a blessing to God’s people at United and became the Church Mother. Although her health began to decline, Mother Doss continued her mentorship and counsel when The 3^rd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Wisconsin, was combined with Wisconsin 1^st Jurisdiction, under the leadership of Church of God in Christ General Board Member, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels.

Mother Doss was an avid fisherwoman who loved to travel, cook and sing God’s praises. God’s love was shown through her with every encounter. She had a unique relationship with everyone that was graced with her presence. She was going to embrace you and make sure you received a word of encouragement.

After many years of affliction, District Missionary Mother Hettie I. Doss fulfilled her earthly mission and transitioned to her promotion on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children Berlinda (Dennis) Marshall, Mary (Cornelius) Gordon, Pastor Patricia (Pastor Willie) Scott, Pastor Curtis (Deborah) Doss, Benjamin (Vickie) Doss, Marilyn (Simon) Walker, Pastor Debra (Pastor Leon) Brown, Karen (Larry) Ivy, Elizabeth (Livingstone) Williams, Mari Doss, daughter-in-law Cynthia Doss, her sisters Ivera Gaston of Kalamazoo, MI, Christine McDonald of Davenport, IA, Lessie Mae Reed of Grand Rapids, MI, Pastor Lois Anderson of Grand Rapids, MI, Loisteen Winston of Kalamazoo, MI,  thirty-one grandchildren, forty-eight great grandchildren, six great great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends who all loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mamie Jones, her husband of 48 years, Elder Lewis L. Doss Sr., her son Pastor Lewis L. Doss Jr., grand-daughter Antoinnette Marshall, grandson Timothy Doss, great grand-son Emmanuel Davis, brothers, Jimmie, John and Eurtis Jones, sister, Thelma Jones, sisters Ora Syms and Maggie Roden, brother-in-law George Anderson, and sister-in-law Geneva Jones.

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Mother Doss was grateful for the support of her medical team and their staff and held them in high regards. The family would like to thank the medical staff that helped to take care of Mom:

• Aurora Healthcare Cardiologist Dr. Tanvir Bajwa and Staff
• Aurora Healthcare Interventional Pain Management Dr. Gordon L. Mortensen and Staff
• Aurora Healthcare Internal Medical Dr. Junwei Liu and Staff
• Ascension All Saints, Primary Care Internist Dr. Joseph Matthews and Staff

We would also like to thank Aurora Hospice care staff for their guidance, understanding and professionalism during this transition.

Special thanks to the Directing Principal Cassie Kuranz, her Administrative Team, and Staff at J.I. Case High School, for their support of Marilyn Walker, who was Mom’s primary caregiver.