Charles Dwayne Doty was born on December 20, 1937, to Lunkford and Cesarea (McKeel) Doty in the Ponta community in Cherokee County.
He was raised and educated in Jacksonville, Texas. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1956. He fondly remembered and reminded others of his athletic prowess. He took immense pleasure in having his old football photo displayed in the newly renovated Jacksonville Tomato Bowl. He saw it as recognition of his enduring legacy.
After graduation, he attended Tyler Junior College majoring in Computer Programming. He believed education was a way to advance. He constantly lectured his children and grandchildren on its value. He was enormously proud of the fact that his children and grandchildren graduated from universities. Whenever he talked to his great grandchildren, he worked on the question of "what do you want to be when you grow up? He expected them to pursue higher education also. He was not above suggesting a career for them after investigating in what subjects they excelled.
Charles married his high school sweetheart Willie Hazel Peoples. They were married for a total of 65 years. Two children were born to their union — a daughter, De'Londa and a son, Charlvin.
He was invited to North Bolton Street Christian Church by the late Cordelia Adams. There he gave his life to Christ and served faithfully until his death. He was ordained as a deacon and later as an elder.
Charles was a diligent worker who was determined to elevate his family beyond his humble beginnings. He was always willing to work extra hours (in fact he loved overtime) and early on he worked at extra jobs. He worked for General Electric, which later became Trane for 42 years before retiring in 2008. He later began to invest in rental property and purchase land.
In his spare time, he loved working on the Doty farm, planting fruit trees, vegetables, raising cattle and pigs. He loved to bring gifts from his farms to relatives and friends. He even entertained his grandchildren by convincing them that farm work was fun. They willingly drove his pickup truck and mowers across fields, fed cows and shelled peas with their grandfather.
On Sunday May 25, 2025, Charles stepped away from his family circle as he transitioned from earth to heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents Lunkford and Cesarea Doty and his brothers Cleophus Doty, Marvin Doty and Bennie Ray Sessions; sisters: Zella Dixon, Pearline Newsome, Everline Newsome, and Eura Faye Jinks; and brother-in-law: Maharold Peoples. Charles took his place in his heavenly family circle.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Willie Hazel Peoples Doty daughter De'Londa Poole (Jessie); son Charlvin B. Doty (Loretta); grandchildren Tiffani L. Bush (Donald), Charlvin Torre Doty (Adriane), Michella Jones (Otto) and Jessie T. Poole (Jannery); great-grandchildren: Raydon Bush, Riley Bush, Charlvin Torian Doty, Mison Cauley, Ottavia Bell, Anthony Aberu-Zar Zar, Layla Poole, Victoria Poole, Isabella Poole and Zachary Poole. Great grandchild: Jacquise Bell. Brothers-in-laws: Hiram Peoples (Hallie) and James Peoples (Brenda); Sister-in-law: Veriece Tilley (Thomas) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public Viewing
Saturday, May 31, 2025
10:00a.m. - 5:00pm
Mercy/McGowan Funeral Home
415 N. Main St.
Jacksonville, Tx 75766
Funeral Service
Sunday, June 1, 2025
2:00pm
Kingdom Christian Center
411 S. Bolton St.
Jacksonville, Tx 75766
