Doris Martin

Doris Marin was born in Laurinburg NC to Neal and Henrietta Martin. She was the 3rd eldest of 14 siblings.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, 1 sister, 3 brothers, late husband Richard Hester and 1 grandson-Darius Robinson.

Doris is survived by her 4 children- Ricardo Hester, Ronald Hester  Dorothea Hester and Edress Brunson; 2 daughter in-laws (Kim and Brenda Hester);  sisters- Joyce Alexander and Betty Jean Martin and brothers- Dan Martin, Neal A. Martin, Bobby Martin, Herbert Martin, Norman Martin, MJ Martin and Cliff Martin. She has 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Doris attended Laurinburg Institute and earned her High School diploma at I. Ellis Johnson. After graduating, she moved to Brooklyn NY where she remained for over 20 years and married Richard Hester, whom she often referred to as “My Love.”

On an early Saturday morning from a small Brooklyn window located on the 6th floor of 921 Montgomery St, you could hear the sounds of music, the snap of her fingers and singing to the likes of artist such as James Brown, Sam Cooke, Betty Wright and Otis Redding to name of few while cleaning and dancing. Dancing, singing, going to the casinos was some of her favorite things to do. Her joy for life was contagious!

Doris worked for many years as a 411 operator for Bell Atlantic and retired in 1996 from Verizon. She wanted to travel, visit more with her children, and spend time with her siblings and grandchildren. Doris did just that! To be surrounded by family and friends was all she ever wanted. 

Doris earned her respect in the community and at work. She could light up a room and the moment she entered into any space, you knew she was there. She exuded strength, confidence and showed loved and care to all those around her. Doris was loved by everyone (young and old). They would often become her bonus sons, daughters, nieces and nephews. There was no strangers to Doris.  Her grandchildren called her Nana, but to many she was known as “Mom Dot!”

After retiring, she traveled from state to state, cruised the high seas with her sisters and close friends. She also traveled to Hawaii many times where she would spend more than a month just enjoying the tropical life. She knew that traveling wasn’t just for her, so she brought along her granddaughters-Ashley and Charissa.

In 2001, she moved to Baltimore Maryland to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Doris wasn’t ever able to sit still for a long period of time, so she worked part-time as a crossing guard. She later felt that it was time to be closer to her sisters, so she packed up and moved to High Point, NC where she remained until being diagnosed with Dementia. Her children soon returned her to MD in order to care for her.  Her last stop was Jacksonville, FL where she was loved and cared for by her eldest son and daughter in-law Ricardo and Kim Hester.

Doris lived life how she wanted and did not play by anyone else’s rules. She often made up her own rules. Her strong personality and character spoke volumes. To know her was to respect her first, but to also love her unconditionally with an open heart.

When you hear a song that reminds you of Doris, be sure to nod your head or snap your fingers. Dance On Mom……

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