Doris Thomas, 84, of Newark, New Jersey, passed on November 09, 2023. She was born on July 10, 1939.

In Memoriam: Doris Thomas - A Life of Courage, Compassion, and Unstoppable Spirit 

Doris was a force of nature. She wasn't just a mother to four incredible daughters; she was a guiding light who nurtured their spirits and armed them with the tools to conquer the world. Her journey was a tapestry woven with adventure, resilience, and unwavering determination. 

As the eldest child of Rosa and Bobby Corbett, Doris early years were marked by grit and camaraderie. Picture her a young teen, hauling cement bags to help construct a second home in the unforgiving Mojave Desert. She didn't stop there; she played a pivotal role in raising her six younger siblings, setting the stage for her lifelong dedication to family. 

High school couldn't contain her ambitions; she boldly joined the Air Force, where destiny introduced her to her husband Thomas Marks. But their journey was far from easy. In the racially divided South, their home stood on the fault line between black and white neighborhoods. When angry lynch mobs threatened, Doris's courage shone through as she fearlessly confronted the mob, marching toward the police station. At that time, she was a devoted mother to two daughters, Phyllis and Patrice. 

Doris's journey led her to East Orange, New Jersey where she continued her higher education courses and drove a school bus for special needs students before she became the city's number one realtor, consistently outperforming even her broker. Her heart was dedicated to helping low-income and minority homebuyers, and her legacy in real estate remains unmatched. 

California beckoned once again, and Doris answered in the mid-eighties, following two of her daughters to the Golden State. Her relentless spirit saw her work at a high-profile accounting firm in downtown Los Angeles, and also learn computer programming.  

She was not just a mother but a loving babysitter to her daughter's foster infants. 

Retirement was just another chapter of service for Doris. She embraced volunteer work as a Jehovah's Witness and a Pioneer; witnessing to neighbors at places like the Local shelters. Even during the challenging days of Covid lockdowns, she organized phone and Zoom chains to maintain her outreach. She was that friend who always checked in on others, ensuring they were okay. 

Doris's independence remained her hallmark until just weeks before her sudden hospitalization and passing. Her departure leaves a painful void that will be deeply felt for years to come. 

Doris is survived by her three beloved daughters, Patrice, Wendy, Erica, (and the late Phyllis), former son-in-law, Jeff Thomas, her cherished siblings Betty, Joanne, Robin, Melody, Yonette, Bobby Jr., brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and her spiritual family. 

Her legacy is a testament to the incredible impact one person can have on the lives of others. 

In her memory, may we all strive to live a life as full as hers, where love, family and her community mean the most.