Doris Marie Roden's Obituary
GARLAND, TX - Funeral services for Doris Marie Roden, 91, were held at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery in Garland, Texas. Prepared for death as she did in life, Doris was laid to rest, according to her wishes, amongst the gentle ponds and verdant gardens of Restland at 2pm, September 19, 2022. Private services were led by Pastor Nathan Tucker. Born in her grandmother’s farmhouse, Doris Marie Tillman entered this world as the Empire State Building was preparing for its first visitors and the Star-Spangled Banner was being adopted as our nation’s anthem. The Depression Years were tough on America, but life on the farm picking tomatoes and cotton and looking after four sisters and two brothers helped shape Doris into a hard-working yet kind person, deeply dedicated to her family while enmeshed in the concerns of farm life and high school activities. It also provided Doris with the grit and determination to eventually forge a life of her own in Tyler, Texas.
Among her many jobs, Doris found early success as a switchboard operator in Tyler, and later success after a relocation to the Dallas area and a career with Texas Instruments (from which she retired). It was in Tyler that she established a family with William Thomas Roden before moving to Garland to raise their two children, Melea and Blane, on her own, after William’s death. Doris worked hard and provided well for her children and was instrumental in supporting her daughter’s college education. When times were tough, home was always a place of welcome.
Fond of the 70’s, Doris cultivated a stylish wardrobe and even more stylish cars, maintaining both for decades. She loved her yearly trips, especially to the coast, and she loved returning to the country to visit her family, especially for reunions, where she could take a breath and catch up on old times. She was handy with both a tatter’s hook and a Smith & Wesson, at ease in the kitchen (she made the best cornbread dressing), loved the holidays, enjoyed going to the state fair, and wasn’t afraid to throw back an occasional beer with her son-in-law.
She worked hard and lived a well-earned life, on her own terms, and will be missed by those who remain behind: Daughter Melea Fisher and Son-in-Law Mark Fisher of Hurst, Son Blane Roden of Garland, Sister Glenda Faye Penney of LaRue, Brother Dwight Tillman of LaRue, and many others who knew her and loved her.
May she rest in everlasting peace, remembered as a kind, caring, and generous woman who departed this good earth after a long and memorable life.
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