Born July 12, 1923 in Denison, Texas, to her parents Marion Swafford & Vera Elizabeth Davis Shoemate. Doris was raised in the oil fields of East Texas during the big oil boom as her dad was an oil gauger. She graduated in 1941 from New London High School, New London Texas. She was 1 of 202 survivors out of 500 students and teachers who lost their lives in the 1937 gas explosion at the school. Her only sister, Sammie Lee did not survive the explosion. She spoke of it often and how much she missed her sister. This explosion prompted the gas companies to add the odor to natural gas to warn people of possible leaks to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again. In 1939 she met Raymond Mize, the love of her life, who was an usher at the local movie theater. On January 12, 1942, they eloped and relocated to Orlando, Florida for Raymond to serve in the Army. Two years later, he was deployed to serve his country in WWII. Soon after his leaving, Doris discovered she was pregnant. Unbeknownst to them, and to her great surprise during delivery, she discovered she was having twin boys, Garry Ray and Larry Allen. When Raymond returned in 1945, he finally got to meet his sons. They moved to Rockdale, Texas in 1950 where they opened Mize Jewelers. Nine years later they were blessed with another child, a little girl, Nancy Elizabeth. After the birth of their daughter, they moved to Freeport, Texas in 1956 and Raymond accepted a job with Dow Chemical Company. They were married for 32 years until his death in 1974. Doris worked almost all of her life in Freeport and contributed to the success of some of the well-known businesses in the area: McSpadden Jewelers, Moore's Tot and Teen, Polk Chevrolet/Leo Martin Chevrolet and M&G Trailer Ranch. She was a lifetime member of the Eastern Stars Rockdale Chapter #23, now known as Caldwell Chapter #976. Doris was raised in the Church of Christ, but became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Freeport. As a result of being so active in the community, she was very well known and loved. In 1967, when her first grandchild was born, she was given the name "Memaw." From that time on, no one called her or introduced her as Doris. Everyone who knew her or knew of her lovingly called her "Memaw." On July 24, 1978, she married Lloyd Morgan of Lake Jackson, Texas. They were married for 20 years until his death. Memaw took great pride in her family and her roles of daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved to bake and grocery shop. She was well known for her delicious Italian Cream Cake and peanut butter cookies. Left to cherish her memory are her two sons and daughter, Garry Mize (Linda), Larry Mize (Deedee), Nancy Mize Armstrong (Howard) all of Jones Creek; seven grandchildren, Kelley Mize Burnham (Brian) of La Marque, Texas, Brandon Mize (Carol) of Jones Creek, Texas, Teague Mize (Amanda) of Lake Jackson, Texas, Kerri Mize of Clute, Texas, Kim Mize Schaub (Jason) of Tomball, Texas, Brandye Mize of Vilseck, Germany, Jerrad Johnston (Melanie) of Pasco, Washington; thirteen great grandchildren, one great great grandson, and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Jerrad, Brandon, Teague, Coby and Gage Self, and Dyllan Schaub. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason and Dusty Schaub, Brian Burnham, Gordon Self, Jerry Johnston, Milan Miller, Bud Miller, and Raymond Smith. Those greeting her in heaven are her parents, both husbands, her brother, Elbert Shoemate and sister-in-law Edna, her daughter-in-law Gail Mize, and many close friends. The final chapter is complete as the last page is turned on a life well-lived and now a rest well-earned. Family will receive friends at Lakewood Funeral Chapel, 98 Dixie Drive, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566 on Thursday, May 24, 2018 from 2pm until the service, followed by a celebration of life and graveside services starting at 4pm. Pastor John Haynes of New Beginnings Church and Chaplin Jerry Stark of Hospice Heart to Heart will officiate the service. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Oak Village Nursing Home and the extended care provided by Heart to Heart Hospice. In Lieu of Flowers, contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church of Freeport, Texas or New Beginnings Church of Clute, Texas.

Sign Guestbook>>

26 Condolence(s)