Doris Jeanne Messick, active in community
Doris Jeanne Messick, 82, of Lewes, and formerly of Georgetown, passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday morning March 4, 2022, after a short hospital stay with the compassionate Palliative Care Team of Beebe Healthcare.
She was born Jan. 27, 1940, to the late Charles Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Wilkerson) Frampton at their home in Georgetown.
Throughout high school, Doris played field hockey, girls basketball, and was a member of many clubs, sophomore class treasurer, and was on the Golden Herald staff. She and her husband, Ronald Everett Messick, were married in 1958 until his untimely passing April 30, 1974. They shared 16 loving years together, during which they had their two children. In her younger years, Doris and her children would spend many happy moments at the beach. While an amateur, she was an enthusiastic gardener. She was an Avon representative for over 10 years. In her 40s, she joined a bowling league with her father and stepmother. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Georgetown. Her favorite Bible verse was John 14:1-6. She was an active member of her local community throughout her entire life. In her later years, this was evident by her calling as a foster grandparent in the Indian River School District.
In addition to her parents and husband, Doris is preceded in death by her brothers, Charles K. “Kenny” Frampton and James A. “Jimmy” Frampton; her stepmother, Marjorie Kay Frampton; her mother- and father-in-law, Everett and Clarabel E. Messick; and her brother-in-law, Joshua A. Messick and his wife Elsie A. (Hudson).
Doris will be greatly missed by her children, Lisa Wootten (Dean) and Ronnie Messick (Sherry); her stepsister, Leanne M. (Ela) Alvarez; her stepbrother, Carleton “Rick” Ela; her sisters-in-law, Jane Johnson (Bob), Willia (Oakley) Frampton, Libby (Matthews) Frampton; her brother-in-law, Phillip E. Messick (Eloise); her grandchildren, Sarah Buchanan, Chelsea Wootten, Sheyanne Buchanan, Tyler Buchanan, Chloe Messick, and Alanna Chapman; along with several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A Celebration of Life memorial service is being planned for a date later this spring. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the following: Children’s Beach House, 1800 Bay Ave., Lewes, DE 19958, cbhinc.org; Sussex County Master Gardeners, University of Delaware Carvel Research and Education Center, 16483 County Seat Hwy., Georgetown, DE 19947; or to your favorite local library or a charity of your choosing.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.
Online condolences may be sent to shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Doris’s care team for the last 3 ½ years at Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Lewes and to the Palliative Care Team, doctors, nurses, and chaplain at Beebe Healthcare.
