Carolyn Doss

Mrs. Carolyn Lee Sims Doss of Martin died Tuesday, November 17, 2010, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Funeral service will be Saturday, November 20, 2010, at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH in Martin; 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow in Mason Hall Cemetery in Mason Hall, TN. Visitation will be Friday, November 19, 2010, at PLEASANT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH in Martin; 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M., or after 9:30 A.M. at First Baptist Church on Saturday.

Mrs. Doss is survived by her husband, Elwood Doss, Jr. of Martin. She is survived by her children, Charles E. "Chuck" (Suzanne) Doss of Union City, Daniel (Emily) Doss of Valparaiso, Indiana and Deborah Leigh Doss of Milan, TN. Three grandchildren survive and one brother, W.T. Sims of Yorkville, TN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurman and Lottie Yarbrough Sims and sister, Benita Williams.

Mrs. Doss was a graduate of Mason Hall High School and received a Bachelor Of Music Education degree with a major in piano from Bethel University in McKenzie, TN. She was Band and Choir Director for four years, and Elementary Music Teacher for two years at the Parma Public School in Parma, MO; Band Director at West Carroll Middle and High School; Music Specialist at Martin Elementary School and for 18 years at Martin Primary School where she retired. She was honored by her peers by being nominated as 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year at Martin Primary School. She taught private piano for 47 years in Mason Hall, Parma, MO; Cape Girardeau, MO and Martin. She was organist and pianist at the First Baptist Church, Cape Girardeau, First Baptist Church, Martin and Church Pianist at the First Baptist Church, Fulton and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Martin. She was a colleague and partner in the Music Ministry with her husband, the Rev. Elwood Doss, Jr., and served as Children's Choir Director and Coordinator, Handbell Choir Director, and Ladies Ensemble Director. She was an accomplished pianist, and excelled as an accompanist in piano and organ for numerous choirs and ensembles in the churches where she served. She also accompanied the West Tennessee Chorale and Choral Society, both choirs at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She was a member of the Music Educators National Confernece as a Certified Teacher of Music in Piano, and held the Professional Certificate in Piano and Standard Certificate as a Teacher of Piano from the Music Teachers National Association. She also served as President of the Martin Area Music Teacher's Association and Phiharmonic Music Guild, Martin.

Mrs. Doss was an active member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Martin.