Doris L. Gay

Doris L. Gay, age 93, of Richland, MI, died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, January 4, 2017 at the Butterfly Oasis in Kalamazoo. She was born in Detroit, MI on December 8, 1923, the loving daughter of Heber and Eula (Merrifield) Badger and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. Doris worked for the Kalamazoo Public Schools, where she served as a secretary and also a sewing instructor with the evening program for many years, and later worked for the Upjohn Company.

Doris was a member of the Gull Lake United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, square dancing, listening to music, and truly loved spending time with her family.

Doris was united in marriage to the "Love of Her Life", Adis Eugene "Bud" Gay on November 15, 1942 in Galesburg, MI; he sadly preceded her in death on March 17, 2014 after nearly 72 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia A. Hummell of Portage, MI; two sons, Thomas E. (Janice) Gay of Shelby Twp., MI and Stephen Michael (Linda) Gay of Portage, MI; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Richard Ferrell; a grandson, Stephen T. Ferrell; a son-in-law, Darrell Hummell; three brothers, Earl, Eugene and Kenneth Badger; two sisters, Helen Buckhout and Beaulah Smith; and her parents, Heber Badger and Eula Allen.

A private burial has taken place at Prairie Home Cemetery in Richland. A memorial service to celebrate Doris' life will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Gull Lake United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Road, Richland, MI 49083. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.