Doris Yvette Woods

IN MEMORIAM: Reflections on a good life

Doris Yvette Woods (nee Young) was born on Tuesday April 28, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the union of John Will and Verdie Lee Young. She was the eldest of two daughters in an upwardly mobile, middle-class family that thrived on the opportunities presented by the industrial revolution. John Will Young was a devoted family man who provided well for his daughters, who were also blessed with doting grandparents. On a whim, the Young sisters decided that they wanted to play the piano, so their grandfather gave them cash money to buy a brand new one. While the sisters’ fascination with the piano was brief, the piano became a fixture in the family for generations–played two-finger style, by Doris’ children and grandchildren.

Doris’ integrity was evident at an early age. As a fourth grader, she was regularly entrusted with delivery of church deposits to the bank by Father Phillip Stelles, pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. A tribute to her trustworthiness, and to his own shrewdness, Fr. Phillip realized how unlikely a target for robbers a little Black girl would be. Young Doris was precocious, excelling in Science & Biology. At age 9, she was asked to speak to the congregation of St. Mark Church. She proceeded to give a speech about the biology of amoeba and protozoa.

As a teenager, Doris’ experience working at her grandfather’s gasoline station was influential in forming the strong work ethic that would continue throughout her life.

Doris’ strongest talent was her aptitude for language and the written arts. Doris graduated from St. Benedict the Moor High School at the age of 16. Doris’ love affair with the printed word dictated her college major of English Literature. She graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Doris’ strong faith was so cemented at St. Benedict, that she contemplated a religious vocation for a time–until she met the love of her life, Charles (Tommy) Woods of Mount Vernon, Illinois. After of year of courtship, they were married at St. Benedict. Doris and Charles were blessed with two children, Sheila and Todd. She was a loving mother who instilled in her children, the basic tenets of Catholicism. Her children, upon reflection, concede that the strict and persistent lessons Doris taught them in their youth were undoubtedly responsible for them becoming successful and productive adults.

Always an independent thinker and advocate for higher education, Doris was an overachiever in every aspect of her life. As the Deputy Director for the office of a United States Congressman, she developed an internship program, which allowed college
students to earn credits in Political Science. She was a member of a U.S. congressional delegation to China in 1992 and served on the faculty of Marquette University for 8 years.

Prior to her position with the U.S. Government, Doris was a marketing copywriter and coordinator in Advertising.

In addition to her role in US Government, Doris served her local community as a board member of the Hunger Acton Network, and as a member of the Milwaukee County Social Development Commission’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

Able to strike a remarkable balance between her professional and her domestic life, Doris was a gourmet cook and baker, well-known for her great dinner parties which brought together an interesting mix of people from her family, friends and integrated neighborhood. Her annual 4th of July flag cake and Christmas cookies were especially memorable.

Doris’ style and grace generated the sincere respect and admiration of her colleagues, church community, family and friends.

Cultural and artistic events were also a big part of Doris’ life. She and Charles were active in Milwaukee society, regularly attending plays, concerts and formal affairs. A passionate film buff, Doris was the designated movie critic for family and friends. She had a close relationship with extended family members and was the family historian and keeper of six generations of ancestral photographs.

Religion remained central to Doris’ life, and she lived her faith according to the Golden Rule. The Serenity Prayer was her favorite:

“Lord, grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

True to Doris’ love of symmetry and order, she was born on a Tuesday and completed her earthly journey–moving on to the next, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, confident of the eternal peace promised by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, her father John Will, her mother Verdie Lee, and her sister June. She is survived by her daughter Sheila L. Baker of Florida, her son Todd S. Woods (Velda) of Belize, and her grandchildren in Los Angeles, Marie, Ryan (Sonia) and Lauren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 27, at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

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