Doris Raye was the older of two children born to Ella Mae Kenney Chance and Taylor Fletcher Chance. Later, she and her twin sister, Doris Faye, were adopted by Clifton George Jennings, Sr. when he and Ella Mae were married. In their elementary school years, Doris Raye and her twin sister were involved in the early school desegregation movement in the state of Texas, spearheaded by their father, Clifton under the auspices of the NAACP. A landmark civil lawsuit resulted from this. Doris is a graduate of Prairie View A&M College, Prairie View, Texas, where she received her BA Degree. She received her Master of Instruction from the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
Doris married Glenn, the love of her life, in 1955, a union that lasted 63 years until his death in 2018. For the next 20 years, she, Glenn and their growing family travelled the world, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. It was during this time that the seed for love of travel was planted and continued to grow in their lives, leading to many global adventures. She had the opportunity to instruct on-duty airmen for GED qualification while stationed in Germany.
Glenn’s transfer to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware in 1960 led to her employment as the librarian at Gunning Bedford Junior High School, Delaware City, Delaware, where she served for thirty years, retiring in 1991. Most notable of her tenure there is that she was the first African American staff member and her nomination as Teacher-of-the-Year. Doris also served as president of her school district’s library association.
Doris immersed herself in church and community activities. As a member of First Presbyterian Church, Newark, Delaware, she was deeply involved in the children’s ministry, serving from Sunday school teacher to superintendent. An activity dear to her heart was the Angel Tree Ministry, an outreach for children of incarcerated parents, which she planned and coordinated for many years. Doris was an ordained member of Session, a Stephen Ministry Leader and served at the reception Desk, an activity which she coordinated for several years. There were many committees that claimed her attention over the years.
Doris was a breast cancer survivor. This led to her involvement in many breast cancer awareness activities, notable among them the dedication of Delaware’s first Mobile Mammography Van with then Governor Michael Castle and serving as a member of its Board of Directors. She was a member of the Christiana Care Cancer Outreach Committee Doris was a volunteer and trainer for American Cancer Society’s Reach-to Recovery program and served as a public education presenter. She received much public recognition, receiving many certificates and plaques that adorn her walls because of her dedication to this cause. Among them are The Susan G. Komen Heroes award, the Terese Lasser Award, the Lettye’s Legacy Award and the Breast Cancer Network Award.
Doris was preceded in death by her beloved spouse of 63 years, Glenn, their son, Elton, her twin sister, Doris Faye Alston and her parents. She is survived by son Glenn Brewer, Jr. (Iris), daughter Crystal Norman (Garrett, Sr., deceased), granddaughters Samantha and Chelsia Brewer, grandson Garrett Norman, Jr., sister Julia Anne Jennings, brother Clifton Jennings, Jr (Cheryl), many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Services for Doris will be held Tuesday June 4, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church located at (292 W. Main Street Newark DE 19711). Friends and family may call from 10:00-11:00am with the service at 11:00 am. Burial will take place at All Saints Cemetery
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to NAACP: [](https://naacpldf.org/donate)https://naacp.org/donate
For online condolences visit: mccreryandharra.com
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