Doris Elaine (Gentry) Higginbotham

How much more beautiful heaven must be since you arrived, Doris Elaine Gentry Higginbotham.  Doris (affectionately known as “Dotsie”) of Luray, Virginia passed away at the age of 74 on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Winchester Medical Center from lifelong chronic illnesses. 

She was the baby in the family, born on April 7th 1948 in Alexandria, VA, the daughter of Ashby Vernard Gentry and Atlas Josephine Thacker Gentry, and the step-daughter of Jack Richardson, all of whom preceeded her in death.

On April 24, 1966, she married Cecil Scott Higginbotham, and they had their one and only child, Melissa Dawn Higginbotham.  Doris is survived by her husband, Cecil, daughter, Melissa and “Special Girl” Nicole Breein Mai Pai of Alexandria. She is also survived by brother Ashby V. Gentry, Jr., and two sisters, Betty J. Colenda and Joan M. Garcia, two grandsons that were her world, Michael “Scott” Bradley and Anthony “Shawn” Bradley, many loved nieces and nephews, cherished life long friends, Janet Sisk Thompson, Linda Horn Jackson, Sue Michaels Howell and the Hutchison brothers, Pete and Charlie.

In addition to her parents and step-father, she is preceded in death by three brothers, Carl L. Gentry Sr., Eugene P. Gentry Sr., and Franklin L. Gentry Sr., and one sister Clara Mae Shiflett.

Doris attended Osbourn Park High School and later taught as a substitute teacher which she enjoyed immensely. 

Doris was a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend and a devoted family caretaker. She was most often found collecting dolls, cooking, coloring and drawing, hosting parties, listening to her musical siblings/family, socializing and laughing and most importantly loving God.

In lieu of flowers, do something special with your family or do a good deed for someone less fortunate in memory of Doris’s love of family and fondness for others. She loved so many so much and she will be dearly missed by all. 

A celebration of life will be set for a future date.

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