Doris Fassett Oakley

Doris Fassett Oakley, 84, of Summerfield passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, September 24, 2018 at Center United Methodist Church Cemetery, 6142 Lake Brandt Road, Greensboro, NC 27455 with Rev. Cecil Donahue officiating. There will be no formal visitation. Doris was born in Elmira, New York, Chemung County, to George Riley Fassett and Anna Mae Moore Fassett on October 7, 1933. She graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in Elmira Heights in 1951. After graduation, she worked in the Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospital as a medical transcriptionist. While living in New York, she studied classical piano preparing for conservatory, but decided not to follow that path. Her mother was from Greensboro originally and the family moved to Greensboro, North Carolina in 1955 due to her father’s failing health. Doris worked as a secretary in the International, Hosiery and Information Systems divisions of Burlington Industries for twelve years. She retired from Kurt Salmon Associates, Management Consultants after 27 years of serving in many different capacities until her retirement as administrative assistant. Her mother introduced her to Bill Oakley in 1955 and their first date was on New Year’s Eve. They were married in 1956 and celebrated their 56th Anniversary in September of 2012 before Bill’s passing in October of that year. Doris worked alongside Bill at Newlyn Street United Methodist Church as a youth counselor for many years. The couple also served as delegates to the district and annual conferences. At Newlyn, Doris served on the Administrative Board, the Pastor Parish Committee, as volunteer secretary and as the church organist. Bill and Doris moved to Center UMC in1998, a short drive from their home. Doris served as interim organist, on the administrative council, as chairperson of the SPRC committee and helped with the “Weenies on Wednesday” program. Music was a pleasure to Doris, especially the classics and music of the fifties and sixties. She enjoyed creating all kinds of hand work, cruising on the Blue Ridge Parkway with Bill, and skating and bowling in her younger years. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Mae Fassett, and her husband and best friend, Bill (William L.) Oakley. They had no living children. She is survived by two cousins, Aubrey Bennett (Margaret) and Patsy Poe (Ron) and her little furry companion, Savannah. If you desire, please make memorial contributions to: Center United Methodist Church or Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405 or Urban Ministry, 305 West Lee St., Greensboro, NC 27406 or Guilford County Animal Shelter, 4525 W. Wendover Ave., NC 27409. Condolences may be made to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com.