Doris Oly Hammit Racey

Doris Oly Hammit Racey, age 95, of Woodstock passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, April 26, 2018. She was born on May 23, 1922 in Buchanan, VA, the daughter of Oly F. Hammit and Jessie T. Hammit who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her husband, A.R. “Fred” Racey; infant son, A.R. Racey, Jr; daughter, Jean M. Racey; Granddaughter, Lori E. Racey; Grandsons, Alan D. Bauserman and Stewart D. Racey; Great Grandsons, Timmy and Todd Racey; Daughter-in-law, Rosemary Racey; Granddaughter-in-law, Sharon Racey and her six sisters, Anna Lee Hess, Ruth Stull, Mary Hawkins, Margaret Stinnett, Frances Rollins and Norma Wickline. Doris is survived by the following persons: 2 daughters, Lynnette Allen and husband, John, Laura Fogle and husband, Randy; 3 sons, Jan Racey and wife, Dot, Jeffrey Racey and wife, Jane, Oley Racey; 11 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren, 10 Great Great Grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, her brother, John Hammit and wife, Marian, and a sister-in-law, Olivia Irwin. Doris first came to Woodstock from her home in Botetourt Co. in 1940 to work for her cousin, Susan B. Miller, at what was then the Cora Miller Hospital run by Susan and her husband, Harold Miller, Sr.. Doris worked there as a nurses aide and then also at the new Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. She later returned to work at the Cora Miller Hospital when it became the Susan B. Miller Nursing Home. Toward the end of her caretaking career, Doris worked as a private duty nurse taking care of several elderly clients from the community who were in the long term care facility at SMH. She nursed those patients at the end of their lives, giving devoted care to each of them. Doris was a member of the Woodstock Christian Church where she served faithfully in many capacities for about 75 years. She was a lifelong democrat who never missed a chance to exercise her right to vote and who enjoyed keeping up with politics and current events. Doris was much loved by all who knew her. She had the heart of a true servant, full of compassion and was devoted to her Lord, Jesus Christ, to her family and to her church. Material possessions meant very little to her unless they happened to be antiques or old “stuff” that held sentimental value as a link to family, friends or her past. She had a quick wit, loved to laugh and joke, appreciated a good prank now and then and valued honest, hard work and relationships. Doris lived a long and wonderfully full life. Her home in Woodstock was truly “the house by the side of the road” which was and still is a gathering place for family and friends, the site of many wonderful reunions, weddings, birthday parties and backyard bar-b-ques. She welcomed everyone into her home who showed up at her door, extending hospitality that always included food (often her famous, homemade pimento cheese sandwiches), lively conversation, hugs and laughter. She had a wonderful, listening ear and loved to tell stories, recite verses, quips and poetry whenever the mood would strike her. She was very gracious and accepting of those whom she met, having a knack of setting people at ease and just letting you “be yourself”. She made most of her guests feel they belonged to her very large family whether they were actually related or not and it was fairly common for there to be extra folks that were “adopted” into the family at holidays and other times who were sometimes referred to as “cousins”. Doris will be much missed and long remembered. The family would like to make special mention of Doris’ caregiver, Rosemary Clower, who faithfully and lovingly attended to her needs over the past 15 months in the same manner that Doris used to care for her clients. Rosemary was much loved and appreciated by Doris and the entire family who looked on her as an angel sent to us from heaven to care for our dear mother in her final days on earth. Thank you Rosemary! Friends and family may stop by the home on Benchoff drive to offer condolences anytime. A memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at the Woodstock Christian Church, officiated by Pastor Bill Erbach on Saturday, May 19 @ 11:00 AM. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Woodstock Christian Church or to Blue Ridge Hospice.

Doris Oly Hammit Racey

May 23, 1922 - April 26, 2018