Doris Dennis

Doris Audrey (Vermillion) Harrison- Dennis, beloved mother, step-mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher, of Vincennes, Indiana, peacefully completed her journey through this life on Sunday, November 9th, 2014, at BridgePointe Health Campus, at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 11days.She was appreciated by all as a woman of faith, being kind and gentle; a compassionate woman who was a blessing to family, friends, and everyone she met.Doris was born on November 29, 1919, in Marion Heights, West Terre Haute, Indiana. She was the third oldest child of Benjamin Franklin and Hazel Ruth Vermillion in a family of eight children.She was awarded a Certificate of Proficiency from the Fairview Elementary School in Marion Heights on May 25, 1933. She graduated from Concannon High School on May 21, 1937, and began work on completing the requirements for a teaching certificate from Indiana State Teachers' College. During this time, due to the death of her mother, Doris helped raise her five younger siblings by cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning for the household.She began her teaching career in Rensselaer, Indiana, at the age of 20.On July 27, 1941, she married Harry Harrison, also a school teacher she'd met while at college. To their union, three daughters were born, Judith Kay, Marcia Faye, and Lois Mae. Doris and Harry were married 24 years, until his death in August of 1965.She was awarded a Bachelors' Degree from Indiana State Teacher's College on June 9, 1957, and a Masters of Science Degree from Indiana State University on August 21, 1968. On August 30, 1975, Doris married William Dennis. He passed away in July of 1986.Doris' devotion to teaching children was a driving force in her life. She was an enthusiastic and organized teacher. Several of her former students kept in touch with her over the years and to this day tell of her influence upon them and how much they loved and admired her. She was the first teacher at Clark Jr. High School to use the reading lab with taped history tests so that the students who couldn't read would have a chance to pass their exams.She was also known as the teacher who never went inside out of the rain when she was on bus duty.Doris' faith, love, courage, and grace-filled manner inspired her children, her students, and adults alike.She was very active in the life of the Wabash Evangelical United Brethren Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, on many committees, and as a youth fellowship director for six years. During that time the youth group flourished. When the church merged into the Community United Methodist, she continued serving in many capacities. In 1981, Doris celebrated 40 years of teaching in an Indiana classroom. She retired after teaching in Rensselaer, in the Vincennes Township Schools, and in the Vincennes Community School Corporation.She enjoyed reading and baking and cooking. She was an excellent cook. On Sunday moorings she had no idea how many people would be sitting around her dinner table and so would bake 4 to 5 pies, cook a big pot of pinto beans, and mix up a batch of light yeast rolls for the meal. She helped in the huge annual garden, canning and freezing much of the garden produce. In December of 2012, Doris embarked on a new adventure when she moved to Bridgepointe Health Campus. She blossomed in her new home, participating in activities, bible studies, and church services and being an active member of the residence council. She made many new friends and touched the lives of the staff and other residents.Doris was a member of the Community United Methodist Church, Indiana State Retired Teachers Association, the Knox County Retired Teachers Association, and the AARPFamily members who will miss Doris include her daughters, Judy Deuel and her husband, Will, Lois Hartman and her husband, Paul of Vincennes; Marcia Carpenter and her husband, Roy of Jasper. Step-daughters Wilma Stock of Kansas City, Missouri; and Thelma Hemmen and her husband,Jerry of Ocala, Florida, and one step-son Kenneth Dennis of Minnesota. Other survivors include her sister, Edith Willmore of Columbus; her grandchildren, Mark Wilson, Susan Lane, Julie Franklin, Lori Ridgley, Chip Carpenter, and Valerie Stice; four step-grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Loved ones who traveled on before Doris are now celebrating with her include her parents, her first husband Harry; her second William Dennis; 3 brothers: Franklin, Benjamin, and Arnold; and 3 sisters: Roberta, Marcella, and Julia. Visitation is from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 on Friday November 14, 2014 at the Community United Methodist Church, 154 S. Hart Street Road, Vincennes. The funeral service is at 11:30 at the church. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Vincennes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community United Methodist Church, or the Knox County Food Pantry. Online condolences may be sent to the family through goodwinfamilyfh.com.