Doris Burrell
Mrs. Doris Lee Jones Burrell was born July 12, 1929 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was the only child of Mildred Jones Terrell and Willie B. Jones.
She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She studied music at the Conservatory in Chattanooga. Mrs. Burrell was very active in the Progressive National Baptist Convention and served as its first Music Director. Mrs. Burrell also sang with Cleavant Derrick’s gospel ensemble.
She met her husband while serving as musician at her church in Toledo, Oh. They were married Feb. 24, 1951, and later moved to Akron, Ohio when Rev. Burrell was called to pastor Shiloh Baptist Church in October, 1952.
She was one of the founding charter members of the Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church on September 1, 1957 where she served as Sunday School teacher, President of the Missionary Department, and the Minister of Music. Many churches requested Mrs. Burrell to speak at their Women’s Day observances. She never hesitated to witness for Christ no matter what the setting.
Mrs. Burrell’s passions were decorating, cooking, and entertaining. However, shopping was at the top of her list.
She was affectionately known as “Aunt Doris” to all of the children at Prince of Peace, and was considered by many as the “Ideal First Lady.
Mrs. Burrell was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Milton Burrell Sr, and her son, John (Jackie) Milton Burrell, Jr.
She is survived by her sister, Ola Mae Wheeler (Chattanooga); her granddaughter, Charlie Davis (St. Louis); five grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousin and caregivers David and Carol Meredith (Chattanooga); her special daughter, Pamela Wellington; and special grandson, Jeremiah Lewis; adopted son, Rev. Tellis Chapman (Eunice) and children, the Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church family; other relatives and friends; and many other adopted sons and daughters.
The body will lie in state on Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 12-8:30 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6–7 p.m. Funeral services will be held in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 12 p.m. at Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, 844 Garth Avenue, Akron, OH 44320.
Services in Akron will be conducted by Stewart and Calhoun Funeral Home, 529 W. Thornton Street, Akron, OH 44307.
Local arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.