Doris Bleckley

Doris Wilma Bleckley, devoted family member and friend, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on September 20, 2016, she was 91. Doris, third child of Thomas Cleon and Maude James Bleckley, was a native of Clayton, Georgia. She attended Rabun County High where she was very active in sports. She twice won the Rabun County Women’s Golf Championship. Miss Bleckley earned her education degree from Mercer College in Macon, and she was a teacher for almost 40 years!

Doris met her ‘adopted’ Walker family of Orlando, Florida in 1960. At their invitation she moved to Orlando to live and work, teaching PE and coaching women’s basketball before becoming Dean of Students at Colonial High School. Upon retirement she returned to Clayton to be with family and friends - serving as substitute teacher. She also enjoyed real estate and civic involvement, serving on the Clayton City Council. Doris was long-time member of Clayton Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school.

Often called “D,” she never met a stranger, always a true friend to anyone with needs. Doris enjoyed caring for others at McDonalds, on the Clayton streets, or visiting with those who were ailing - a beautiful example of a life faithfully lived. The family will cherish our memories of time spent with Aunt Doris growing up and visiting Clayton. She gladly assumed the leadership role in the family, and we will always be grateful for the generosity and love she showed to all of us.

Doris was proud of her Bleckley heritage and NE Georgia that she called the “prettiest place on earth!” Preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Frances and Tom, Doris is survived by her cousin, Dr. Jim Bleckley (Nancy), of Anderson, SC; nephew Thomas Cole Bleckley (Ginny), of Greenwood, SC, and their children Allison, of El Paso, Texas, and Mark Bleckley, of Abbeville, SC; nephew Paul William Bleckley (Linda), of Inman, SC and their sons Andrew Bleckley, of Richmond, Virginia, and David Bleckley, of Brevard, NC; and niece Deborah Bleckley Dickey (Jerry), of St. Augustine, Florida; and the Walker family children, Becky Walker Henry (Kevin), and daughters Katelin and Aubrey, of Maitland, Florida; Robert Coleman Walker and children Rob, Michele and Logan of Orlando, Florida; Margaret A. “Pegi” Walker of San Francisco, California; and Kathe Walker Gowland (Michael), and children, Sarah, Stephen and Sam, of Lilburn, Georgia.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Clayton Baptist Church on Friday, September 30th, at 2 p.m., preceded by visitation at 1 p.m. Arrangements are by Lloyd Hunter Funeral Home in Clayton, with internment at the Clayton Cemetery, adjacent to the church. In lieu of flowers, Doris requested that donations be sent to the Doris W and Frances M Bleckley Endowed Scholarship Fund at Mercer University Advancement Office, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207.