The history books have recorded that behind every strong woman is a story that gave her no other choice. And, with that choice, there was an arch in her back, there was sun in her smile, grace in her style – she was a phenomenal woman. And, that was Doris Evelyn Allison Gandy. Born on May 17, 1922, in Selma, Alabama, to the late William Allison, Jr. and Ophelia Porter Allison. Doris was also the youngest to her three older siblings – Willis, Anthony, and Thelma – who also preceded her in death. At a young age, Doris’ family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she spent her formative years and all of her life. Doris departed life on this earth on March 16, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia while living with her son and daughter-in-law.
Doris was educated in the Nashville Public Schools, and she was a proud graduate of the historic Pearl High School. She later attended Draughon’s Business College in Nashville to hone her administrative and business skills. And, those who knew Doris became well aware of her business acumen and keen abilities to handle business matters and affairs proficiently and successfully. Doris was indeed well-rounded, well-dressed, well-traveled, and very well-spoken.
She spent years working in Nashville at Genesco, Tennessee State Credit Union, and Doris paved a stellar career at the United States Postal Service from 1964 to 1974, establishing history by becoming the first African American to serve as a front office clerk in a post office in Nashville – servicing all people in that role at the post office. Doris retired from the post office in 1974.
Doris was an avid bridge player, and she was a member of the historic, prominent, and long-standing Hadley Park Bridge Club. It was never unusual to find Doris traveling around the country participating in bridge tournaments and related events; playing bridge was a time for her to relax and soothe her soul and to rejuvenate her spirits. She was a devoted investor and studied the stock market with her husband David monitoring the ticker tape daily for many hours.
Doris was a long-life and oldest church member of Lee Chapel AME Church. Over the years she was involved in many organizational/auxiliary activities. Doris was a member of the Matron’s Club, instructor of the Lee Chapel Bridge Club, assistant secretary to 50+ Club, member of the Christian Social Action commission, on several committees for Women’s Day, a Stewart of the church, member of Class #18, just to naming a few of her accomplishments. Also, the congregation would wait to see her smiling face and her beautiful outfits.
Having lived almost 102 years is remarkable, Doris made it a remarkable life; it was her life and it was well-lived. And, so, it is befitting to consider the deep words of Emily Dickinson which are applicable to Doris’ homegoing, which states:
“Stopping for Death”
Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
and Immortality.
It can be easily said that this woman was indeed phenomenal. This stalwart and sometimes considered permanent fixture to family – having lived almost to 102 years old, will certainly be sorely missed.
A devoted, dedicated, and doting daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and more, Doris deeply adored her family. Doris’ pride and joy – her son, Dr. Paul L. Douglass became and remained the highlight of her life. She shared in many joyous and prideful moments of her son’s many achievements.
Later in life, Doris was a very devoted wife to David Gandy, a Biochemistry Professor at Tennessee State University, who she married in 1971. She and David enjoyed life together, travelled the world, and enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. Doris was left to mourn David’s death when he passed in 2015.
Doris leaves to mourn and to honor and to cherish her memory forever is her deeply devoted son, Dr. Paul L. Douglass, his wife, Dr. Sheila Robinson of Atlanta, Georgia, Daughter-in-law Conra Collier, her husband, Dr. James Ronald Collier of Brentwood, TN; her loving grandchildren: Toi Douglass of Smyrna, Tennessee, Paul L. Douglass III (Reyana) of Johns Creek, Georgia, Dr. Travis Douglass (Zully) of Atlanta, Georgia, Kiersten Collier, Dr. Derek Collier, Erica Collier of Nashville, TN and Vanessa Collier-Robinson of Durham, North Carolina; great-grandchildren: Aiden, Noah and Ali Douglass, Ava Moore, Anjelena Edwards – all of Atlanta, Georgia; Zoe Robinson, Martin Robinson of Durham, NC, Kigen Collier of Las Vegas, NV; beloved friend, Wintha Robinson, Stonecrest, GA; devoted nieces: Shirley Shelton Shaw of Lithonia, Georgia, Lora Daniels of Nashville, Tennessee; devoted nephew: Paul W. Smith, Sr. and Anthony Allison of Nashville, Tennessee; a devoted great-niece; Adrienne Shelton Williams (Rick and son Eric) of Ellenwood, Georgia; and a host of other relatives and friends.