Doris M. Earl

Doris M. Earl, better known as Mamaw, 93, died peacefully at home Sunday, August 11, 2024.

She was born December 28, 1930 in Butler County, Alabama to the late Robert M. and Gladys Leona Willie Mae (Hall) Stinson. She began working very young in the cotton fields and attended school in Forest Home. She also played professional baseball during WW2 for a team in Selma sponsored by the glove factory where she worked. Doris met Ivan “Speedy” Earl, a young airman from Kentucky, at the Ritz Theater in Greenville, Alabama while he was stationed at Craig Air Force Base. They married seven weeks later, on October 2, 1954. When Ivan completed his service, the Earl family made their way to Crestline in 1956 to set down roots and raise their family. He preceded her in death on December 7, 1995, after 41 years of marriage.

Doris was a feisty, hardworking, straight shooting, and strong woman with a wonderful smile. She kept a large garden and canned thousands of vegetables each year. Her cooking was top notch with her biscuits and banana pudding being special favorites. She loved working on crafts, was an excellent fisherman, cancer survivor, and full of memorable “mamawisms.”

Doris is survived by sons, Marvin (Cindy) Earl and Melvin Earl (fiancée Carolyn); grandchildren, Kesha (Ben) Armstead, Anelisa (Myron) Russell, Amanda (Dominic) Stinehour, FC1 Jackquelyn Earl, Anthony (Abby) Earl, Jasper Earl, and Joczelyn Earl; great grandchildren, Damon (Ally) Stinehour, Savannah (James) Green, Makenzie Hopkins, Ocean Armstead, Daniel Earl, Zuti Armstead, and Serenity Earl; great-great grandchildren, Olivia, Jack, and Lena; sister, Nell Rhew; and many extended family.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sons, Ivan “Monroe” Earl and Montgomery Earl; daughters-in-law, Christina Earl and Benjena Earl; and siblings, Rittemay Stinson, Edward Stinson, O’Neal Stinson, Elaine Armstrong, Preston Stinson, and Dee McCormick.

Services will be held on Friday, August 16 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Those attending should where bright colors, just like Doris. Family will receive friends from 10-11:25 am and her funeral will begin at 11:30 am with Pastors Viola Dixon and Myron Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to Ivan.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to Friends of the Crawford Park District through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared in the guestbook.