Doris Elaine Spears

Doris Elaine Arnold Spears, passed away on June 5, 2026, in Enterprise, Alabama, at the age of 75.

Doris was born on March 11, 1951, in Dothan, Alabama, to the late Kyrus and Hazel Arnold. She grew up in Dothan and graduated from Dothan High School in 1969. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Troy University, beginning a lifelong path of service, learning, and care for others.

For 25 years, Doris devoted herself to teaching fourth grade at Montana Street Elementary in Dothan. She had a natural gift for helping children learn and feel encouraged, and she touched the lives of countless students through her patience, wisdom, and steady kindness. After retiring from full-time teaching, she continued to share her skills as a part-time tutor at Rehobeth Elementary School until the COVID pandemic caused schools to shut down. Her work reflected not only her dedication to education, but also her deep belief in the value and potential of every child.

Doris was a loving, faith-filled, and thoughtful woman who was always concerned about everyone else. She had a warm and cheerful spirit, and those who knew her will remember her for her loving nature and her gentle sense of humor. She loved to hum and sing, and her presence brought comfort and joy to her family and friends. She was especially known to her three grandchildren as “Mema,” a name spoken with affection and pride. She treasured time with her grandchildren, and she was especially smart and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles with her grandson. She also loved to read, and one of her favorite places to do so was at the beach, where she could spend the entire day with a good book.

Doris enjoyed gardening and planting flowers, and she took great pleasure in caring for the beauty around her. She was also known for cooking a mean pound cake, which became one of the many ways she shared her love with others. She found joy in fellowship at Graystone Church, where she attended With Cheerful Hearts, and her faith remained an important part of her life throughout the years. Her life was marked by quiet strength, generosity, and a sincere concern for the well-being of others.

She is survived by her husband, Philip Spears; her children, Ben (Amber) Spears and Anna Kathryn Short; her grandchildren, Trey Spears, Carter Short, and Caroline Short; and her brother, Ron (Beth) Arnold. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kyrus and Hazel Arnold of Dothan.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Pinckard Memorial Cemetery, with Rev. Randy Woodham officiating. The family will receive friends at Sunset Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Doris will be remembered for the love she gave so freely, the faith she lived out each day, and the thoughtful way she cared for those around her. Her legacy lives on in her family, her students, her church community, and all who were blessed to know her.