Doris Jean Sturm

Our family is saddened to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother, Doris Jean Carlson Sturm, who departed this life and entered heaven at the remarkable age of ninety-six on October 24, 2025. 

Doris was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 4, 1929. The eldest daughter of the late Sid and Dora Carlson, they lived for many years in Washington D.C. After graduating a year early from McKinley Technical High School, she went to work for the American Red Cross but continued to nurture her interests in art and architecture. 

Following WWII, she met a handsome Navy sailor. She was the loving wife of Frederick Edward Sturm whom she married February 4,1949 in Washington, D.C. The Sturm's eventually settled in Elmira, New York and over the years lived in Maryland, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas. She was a devoted mother to six children. 

Doris was primarily self-taught in a variety of art mediums but excelled at charcoal and pastels with an emphasis in portraiture. Her portrait of her husband is a family favorite and captured not only his likeness, but the very essence of his wonderful nature. She leaves behind a vast collection of artwork and continued to sketch until age ninety-five.

We will miss all the stories of her life and the events she experienced or witnessed. There was so much change over nearly ten decades. Consider the Great depression of 1929-1939 and the effects upon her as a child. Then WWII, Pearl Harbor, the atomic bomb 1939-1945, the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, the first electric computer 1951, Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, the assassination of JFK 1963, the moon landing 1969, the turbulent 70s and 80s, the dissolution of the USSR 1991, the rapid advancement of technology, and then a second attack on American soil in 2001. She survived two destructive hurricanes. Hurricane Agnes devastated New York in June 1972, and Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Gulf Coast in August 2005. 

It is no wonder that Doris loved the subject of history and had a strong desire to see historical architecture and landmarks preserved. She had robust opinions about the condition of our country and the lack of honor for freedom and those individuals that work tirelessly to preserve it. She was a voracious reader and called herself, "a walking encyclopedia," adding at times "of useless information." It wasn't useless. We were listening and we were learning. Following the death of her husband, her historical interest grew, and she became a skilled researcher and genealogist. She leaves a large collection of notebooks and information that trace each branch of family heritage back several centuries. 

She was caring, tough, witty, and passionate about sharing the love of our Lord with others. From a very young age, Doris participated in the Christian faith community. She had a profound encounter with Christ in 1977. She graduated from the Institute of Ministry in Bradenton, Florida in 1979. She played piano and enjoyed classical music. Doris was dedicated to singing with the altos in church choirs. She never gained enough confidence to play piano at church, but she would often play hymns and worship music at home. She adored rich conversations with friends and teaching Bible classes at church, Women's Aglow, and in her home. Now that Doris' physical life on earth is over, she is beginning a beautiful eternal journey. John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."

Doris joins her husband of thirty-nine years in heaven along with a grandson, Frederick. She is survived by her sister Virginia and Jim Lemon of Grasonville, Maryland along with her six children and their families; Mark and Linda Lynch of Pittsford, New York; Mark Sturm of Goldsboro, North Carolina; Eric and Barbara Sturm of Goldsboro, North Carolina; Donna and Stan White of Diamondhead, Mississippi; Christine and Brad Waite of Webster, Florida; Jim and Gayla Sturm of Trophy Club, Texas. Seventeen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren with two more on the way, and one great-great granddaughter. Numerous nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to give special thanks to the entire staff of Keller Oaks Healthcare Center in North Richland Hills, Texas. Their attentive care has given us wisdom and peace on many occasions. We especially recognize Carrine and Veronica, who helped us through difficult moments and went above and beyond the call of duty during the Covid pandemic.

 
Doris left specific instructions for her family. Her body has been entrusted to the sweet staff of Forest Ridge Funeral Home in North Richland Hills, Texas. A private family memorial will be held in North Carolina. Her body will be interred alongside her husband at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

If you have photos or memories of Doris that you would like to share via this tribute website, click the "Tribute Wall" tab and follow the instructions on your screen. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in Israel in Doris' name. Just go to https://www.kkl-jnf.org