Doris Anita-Ray Kittrell was born on July 6th, 1944 in Washington, D. C. to the late Daniel W. Kittrell and Rosa Lee Kittrell who hailed from Ayden, North Carolina. Doris departed this life on Sunday, August 11th, 2013 at the University of Connecticut, John Dempsey Hospital to enter into the sweet rest of the Lord.
Doris was educated in the Public Schools of Washington, D.C. graduating from The Paul Lawrence Dunbar Senior High School, Class of 1961. Thereafter, she pursued higher education at the University of Maryland, College of Art and Design. She enjoyed a successful career in Mechanical Engineering, retiring from the Lockheed Martin Corporation in Bethesda, Maryland.
During her career, she worked on such noteworthy projects as the development of the Communites of Reston, Virginia, and McLean, Virginia. She was involved in the planning and erection of the new Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., after the former burned down. She belonged to the McDowell Art Group as a freelance artist, specializing in drawing and painting birds.
Doris accepted Christ at the tender age of twelve. She was baptized and joined Mt. Zion Pentecostal Church of Washington, D.C. where her parents were founding members. She also fellowshipped with Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church
and Holy Trinity Church, both in Northeast Washington, D. C. Her passion for serving Christ was manifested by her participation in the youth and music ministries. In her adult life, she united with the Revelation Baptist Church, early in the ministry of her sister and brother-in-law, Rev Elijah and Sister Vernell Marshall. Doris received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit under the ministry of Pastor Elijah Marshall. She was glad to serve the Lord as a pianist for the Revelation Baptist Church Senior Choir.
Doris enjoyed her family tremendously, being her parent’s 7th child of 13 children. She held a special bond with her daughter, Darla Kittrell-Vaughns, her husband Anthony Vaughns and her two beloved grandsons, Pierce and Julian Vaughns. She moved to Connecticut to support her daughter in raising her beloved grandsons while she enjoyed watching them grow. Doris found great peace and joy when she united with The New Hope Christian Church in Hartford, Connecticut, Pastor Donald Johnson. “Sister Doris” gained a special place in their hearts as they also found a special place in hers. Doris also leaves to celebrate her life and memories her sister and brother in law, Rev. Elijah and Sis Vernell Marshall; her sister and brother in law, Deacon Calvin and Sis Marion Rodgers; her sister Marie Kittrell-Carter, her sister Thelma R. Kittrell; her brother and sister in law Mr Curtis and Mrs Iva Kittrell; her brothers Delano Kittrell and Daniel W. Kittrell, Jr; and a host of nieces, nephews and additional extended family. Doris was predeceased by her Mom and Dad, Deacon Daniel and Sis Rosa Lee Kittrell; sisters: Delores Kittrell, Valecia Kittrell, and Cheryl Rosa Kittrell; brothers: George Kittrell, and Paul Kittrell.
Family and friends will unite on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service 12 noon at The Master’s Child Church Worship Center 2001 Brooke Drive, District Heights, MD 20747. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, MD.
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