Doris Harlene Fletcher

Doris Harlene Fletcher, 87, was called to Heaven on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11:30 in the morning at Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital in Macclenny, with family by her side. Doris was a long-time resident of Baker County, having lived in Sanderson for over 40 years. Her life began in Houston, Texas, on January 3, 1937, where she was born to the late Willie B. Jones and the late Katie Pearl Heath Jones Peters. In 1950, Doris moved with her mother and brothers—Leon and Billy Joe—to Jacksonville, Florida after her mother married the late Henry Frank Peters, her beloved stepfather.

After arriving in Jacksonville, Doris soon met the love of her life, the late Ralph R. Fletcher, and they were married on November 7, 1953. Ralph and Doris built a beautiful life together, and their world revolved around their five children: Gene (Lisa) Fletcher, the late James (Cathy) Fletcher, Katherine (George) Hill, Jerri (Mitch) Canaday, and Jalinda Owens (Scott Davis). As their family grew, they were blessed with 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren (with one great-granddaughter on the way), one great-great-granddaughter, and one great-great-grandson on the way.

Doris loved her family more than anything in the world, and she treated their friends as her own. She was never too busy for anyone and would stop whatever she was doing to cook a meal or make a pot of coffee. The doors of the Fletcher home were always open, and she welcomed everyone with a genuine smile and a sincere love in her heart. She often jokingly referred to her home as “Heartbreak Hotel,” as many of her children and grandchildren returned there to stay for a while when they faced challenges in love or life. One thing was certain: her family knew she would always be there for them, no matter the circumstances, offering boundless love. Doris actively lived the Gospel values through her love and service to everyone she encountered.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lucy Jean Taylor, her husband Ralph, her son James Wiley Fletcher, and her granddaughter Katie Brooke Starling. In addition to her four surviving children and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, she is also survived by her brothers, Leon (Joella) Jones and Billy Joe (Gloria) Jones. The family of Doris Fletcher will celebrate her life with a graveside service at three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, September 7, at Taylor Cemetery. To leave condolences for the family please visit www.guerryfuneralhome.net. Guerry Funeral Home, U.S. 90 E., Macclenny, FL is honored to serve the family.