Doris Fisher

Doris Harder Fisher left us to be with the Lord and other family members on Friday, February 22, 2008. She had been in declining health for the past two years and in critical condition for the past four weeks. Doris was born January 19, 1920 in Roanoke, Virginia. She met her husband, Jim from North Carolina and they married November 9, 1935. They began their family in the Village of Belmont in 1937. Doris was known for her musical talents. She was the pianist/organist at Belmont Baptist Church until 1958 when the family moved to her present home on Haw River-Hopedale Road, Burlington. At that time, the family joined City Lake Baptist Church in Hopedale and she was the pianist/organist there until the late 1990's. She was active in helping with Vacation Bible School; Girl's Auxiliary; Women's Missionary Union and working with the church choir. She was a representative from City Lake to the Mt. Zion Baptist Association for many years. Doris loved her church and was committed to being at every service. Her music was her testimony to God and in the lives of her children and friends. She was married to the late James Thomas Fisher Jim for 39 years. Doris was the "love of Jim's life". She and her family gained much pleasure from her music and they enjoyed gathering around the piano at home and singing along as she played. She was fondly known by her family by such names as "Flossie", "Maw Maw", "Mama D" and was loved by all. She was a gentle, caring individual who had only good things to say about anyone. Doris was known for sending cards to the sick and shut-in or just a card to say hello. She was a Christian lady who loved her children and family. She loved to travel and had such fond memories of many trips with her family. Doris was honored by being named the Alamance County "Mother of the Year" for 1982 by the Burlington Altrusa Club. She said that was one of the most exciting days of her life. Doris deeply loved her TOPS #109 Take Off Pounds Sensibly family in Burlington. She joined TOPS #109 in July, 1978 and was the treasurer for over twenty years and won many awards. She was TOPS Chapter Queen in 1982. She so enjoyed going with all her "TOPS buddies" to SRD state rally every year. She worked for Burlington Industries for over 43 years as a weaver. Most of those years were spent at Plaid Mill in Burlington and then at the Williamsburg Plant until her retirement. She was an excellent craftswoman and helped train many new employees how to weave. After retirement from Burlington Industries, she went to work at Robert's Variety Store and worked for another fifteen years. She loved working at Roberts because she was able to meet and talk to so many friendly folks. Doris was a former member of the Ladies of the Moose, Burlington Lodge and a member of one PTA or another from 1944 until 1980. She is survived by her daughter Peggy Crawford Gene of Burlington, daughter Patricia Lynn of Mebane and son Tony Fisher Lisa Rembert of the home. Grandchildren: Jason Lynn Sonya of Efland, Tabitha Barnes Rickey of Burlington, James Fisher fiance, Megan Partelow of Greensboro, and Heather Fisher of Haw River. Step-Grandchildren: Jay Crawford Cara of Hillsborough, Duke and Timmy Crawford of Hillsborough, Donna Winecoff Ben of Hillsborough and Ursula Gibson of Charlotte. Three great-grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren and one step great-great grandchild. A sister, Linda Harder Massey of Haw River and two brothers, Allen Harder Doris of Burlington and Earl Harder Kay of Georgia. Sister-in-laws, Dusty Harder of Haw River and Ethel Harder of Roanoke, Virginia. Many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Doris was the daughter of the late Lila Snyder Harder and Ralph Raymond Harder. She was also preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Fisher, Jr. who was her "special love" and an infant son; two brothers, Carl Harder and Clarence Harder. The family will receive visitors at Lowe Funeral Home of Burlington from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2008. The funeral service will be held at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel, 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 with services conducted by Bud Wrenn, Pastor, Integrity Community Church and Walter Jones, Pastor, Haw River Baptist Church. The service will be a celebration of her life with music "This Is My Story This Is My Song". A graveside service will follow at Graham Memorial Park. Pallbearers: Nephews-David Harder, David Riley, Rickey Harder, Todd Massey, Mike Massey and family friend, Timmy Oakley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to: Integrity Community Church or Hospice of Alamance. At other times, the family/friends will be at the home of Peggy Crawford, 1467 Haw River-Hopedale Road, Burlington and Patricia Lynn, 507 North Third Street, Mebane. The Fisher family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Edgewood Place in Burlington and Hospice of Alamance for their caring, attentiveness and kind affections rendered to this special lady over the past weeks and months. Special love and thanks to Dianna Riley niece and Linda Massey sister who sat with her daily, assisting with her care and so freely giving of their love. They also extend their thanks to all their many friends and family who sent cards, flowers, emails and spent many hours visiting and talking with her and keeping all of us in your prayers daily. Mother is at "home" now in Heaven, playing the piano for the Angels! What a homecoming!