Graveside services for Doris Wilson, 74, will be Saturday, October 3, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Clarksdale. Dr. Clyde E. Glenn will be officiating. Visitation will be Friday, October 2, 2020, from 4-6 p.m. at Royal Funeral Home in Clarksdale.

Doris Jean Stephney Wilson Lester went home to be with the Lord, passing away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2020 at her home. The first of five children, she was born September 13, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Haywood Stephney, Sr. and Cornelia Adele Stephney.

The family returned to the Mississippi Delta settling in Issaquena County, Mississippi and finally in Clarksdale. Doris accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age under the pastorate of the late Reverend E.G. Mason. She remained a member of the Chapel Hill Baptist Church for more than 60 years.

She grew up in the Brickyard section of Clarksdale where she was educated in the Clarksdale Public School system. A 1965 graduate of Higgins Jr.- Sr. High School, Doris was a member of the Choir, and the Marching and Concert bands. She was a versatile musician who played several instruments, including the piano, drums, cymbals, flute and oboe. At Jackson State University, Doris majored in Music and continued her musical interests. For many years she played the piano for several churches, in the Clarksdale community New Hope, Dennis Chapel, Mt. Moriah- Bobo, to name a few. She also taught piano lessons. Doris was employed by LIFT/ Headstart in Tupelo, and was a transcriptionist for Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center until she retired. Doris lived her life to the fullest through simple treasures, especially the love of her only daughter, Ericka, cake baking, sewing, knitting and needle pointing, solving puzzles, chatting with family and friends, and most recently spending time with her great niece, Kaia. Many knew Doris for her famous cream cheese pound cake.

Doris was preceded in death by her only child, Ericka Wilson; husbands Larry Lee Wilson and Billy Lester; her father Haywood Stephney, Sr. and brother, Haywood Stephney, Jr. Others remaining who will cherish her memory are three grandsons, Quirinius "Q" Wilson (Ashley), Ali and Jelani; three granddaughters, Nia, Mariah and a great- granddaughter, Azuri; her mother, Cornelia Adele Stephney; three sisters, Caroly Stephney, Vivian Johnson and Esther Hubbard (Montoria); one sister-in-law. Gloria Stephney; four nieces, Kim (James), Tanya, Evette and Tarvryn; two nephews, Tylon, and Taysjun, and numerous other cousins, family and friends.