Doris Taft

Mrs. Doris Leavens Taft, age 90, passed away Friday, May 17, 2013, at her residence, following an extended illness. She was born October 15, 1922, and she was the fourth child of John and Mollie Anderson Leavens, of Coffee County, Georgia. She had nine brothers and sisters, four of whom were by John's second wife, Beatrice Baisden Leavens, following the death of Mollie in 1931. All but one brother preceded Doris in Death. Because she was only eight years old when her mother died, Doris had to grow up quickly and take on Responsibilities around the house and on the farm to help the family keep food on the table during the Depression years.In 1941, she married Wilburn Taft of Atkinson County, and they began building a life together on a Tenant farm, starting with two mules and the determination to work hard toward their shared dreams. Doris worked in the fields as much as she did in the home. In those early years, she planted cotton, corn, and peanuts with one of the mules while Wilburn was plowing with the other one. The farm they rented became their lifelong home when they were able to buy the place in 1953. There they raised their 10 children. The farm's success was greatly enabled by Doris's willingness to work side by side with her husband, by her exceptional skills at organizing multiple projects, and by her ability to teach her children and other workers how to do a job "the right way". Doris had an impeccable memory and could recall minute details about her life, her relatives, and hundreds of people she befriended in South Georgia. She had a gift for remembering names and genealogies. Strangers didn't remain strangers long, because after a few questions, she could usually pinpoint how they were related to someone she knew. Cooking became a lifelong passion for her, and she always cooked large quantities of food for her large family and the large number of workers on the farm. Many relatives, friends, farm hand, and neighbors remember the fine meals and the bounty of delicious dishes served at her table. Doris was baptized on October 12, 1944, and became a devoted member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Atkinson County for nearly 69 years. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Wilburn Francis Taft. She leaves behind five sons and five daughters, 17 grandchildren, 19 great great-grandchildren, and 1 great, great, great-grandchild, several nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives. Her children and their spouses include: JoAnn Brantley, and her husband, Jimmy, of Pearson, Ga., Linda Waugh of Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, Florence Lashley, and her husband, Bobby, of Pearson, Ga., W. F. "Dub" Taft of Atlanta, Ga., Roger Taft, and his wife, Wanda, of Pearson, Ga., Carolyn Dinkins, and her husband, Robert, of Naylor, Ga., Sharon Lang, and her husband, Steven, of Pearson, Ga., Kenneth Taft, and his wife, Shannon, of Manor, Ga., Gary Taft, and his wife, Angie, of Pearson, Ga., and Vance Taft, of Pearson, Ga. 1 brother, Ronnie Leavens, and his wife, Sheila, of Elko, Ga. Funeral Services were held Sunday, May 19, 2013, at 3:00 P. M., at the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Bobby Fussell officiating. Eulogies were rendered by W. F. "Dub" Taft, and Wayne Giddens. The Interment followed in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Active Pallbearers were: Ken Taft, Erik Taft, Matthew Taft, Mark Taft, Jae Brantley, John Lang, Jimbo Brantley, Stuart Dinkins, Tony Dinkins, Daniel Taft, Robert Dinkins, and Andrew Taft. Special Musical Selections, "What A Day That Will Be", was presented as a Congregational Hymn, with Betty Smith, at the Piano, and "Amazing Grace", was rendered by the grandchildren, with John Lang, at the Piano and Caleb Skipper, on the Guitar. "Pre-Lude" and "Post-Lude" soft hymns were rendered by the Pianist, Betty Smith. In Lieu of Flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. Ricketson Funeral Home was in charge of the Arrangements.

Doris Taft

October 15, 1922 - May 17, 2013