Obituary of Doris E. Bair

Doris Ellen Bair, nee Ballard was the daughter of the late Bossie Ballard and Mary Lou Daniel.  She was born on June 30, 1934 in Warm Springs, Georgia.  Doris was one of 11 children.  She departed this life on Sunday, November 26, 2017.

Doris was raised and educated in Warm Springs, Georgia before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to live with her sisters.  When she moved to Philadelphia, she became a member of the St. Paul’s Baptist Church and attended services regularly.  While living in Philadelphia, she met Herbert L. Bair in 1957.  They married on March 24, 1958.  Their 59 year union produced two daughters, Deborah and A’ndrea. In 1966, Herbert and Doris moved to Waterford, New Jersey into a custom designed home that Herb had built.    

Doris was a house wife and loved raising her family.  She was an active member of her children’s school organizations.  She was a Room Mother, PTO member and highly active Band Booster.  Raising her children and assisting the children around her was her passion in life.  She never missed a concert, field trip, music competition, food festival, field day or any school event that her children or grandchildren participated within.  She was also a member of the North Philadelphia Action Branch of the NAACP.  Her willingness to help others and dedication to her entire family was highly evident all the days of her life and will forever be noted in all of our hearts. 

Doris is survived by her husband, Herbert; one sister and brother-in-law, Minnie and Luverne Thomas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; two daughters and son-in-law, Deborah Simms of Waterford, New Jersey and A’ndrea and Larry Brown of Williamstown, New Jersey.  Doris had seven grandchildren, Danielle Simms of Alexandria, Virginia, Brandon Simms of Laveen, Arizona, Dylan Bair Oates, Sahara Bair-Oates, Anaria Bair-Oates, Michael Brown and Christina Brown of Williamstown, New Jersey. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved dearly.  In addition to having her own children, she thought of her nieces and nephews as her own.   All will greatly miss her warm, caring heart and her cooking.  Her life and legacy will forever be a part of our lives.