Doris Joy Gonzales

Our sweet, beloved Doris Joy Vickers Gonzales, 78, went home to be with the Lord on 1/11/23 after a long struggle with diabetes and, consequently, the effects of liver and kidney failure.  

Doris was born in Oakdale, Louisiana on September 27, 1944.  She grew up in Oakdale with ten brothers and sisters.  After high school, Doris moved to the big city of Port Arthur, Texas to live with one of her older brothers, Henry.  It was there that she met her eventual husband of 46 years,  Roy Gonzales.  A year later, Alicia arrived and the family settled in Channelview, Texas.  Deanie and Vickie came along within the next five years and it was in this home in Channelview that Doris nurtured her family.  Doris had a great love and devotion for Jesus and spent the majority of her adult life volunteering in the many Baptist churches in Channelview.  She worked as a church secretary, Awanas director, a decorator, and was always available for any other need in the church.  Her evenings were filled with the various sporting activities that her daughters and eventually her grandsons were involved, traveling far and wide for every football game, volleyball match and baseball game while being their strongest, most fierce supporter.  Doris was blessed to have her grandsons close to her and it was in that role as grandma that she relished the most.  For many years, you would be hard pressed to find Doris without one of her grandsons near.  Much to her delight, those boys returned the love in their adulthood, spending much of their free time gathering around her in her home. Recently, it had been her great grandchildren that brought her the greatest joy and, fortunately, they were allowed to spend as much time with her that they could.  Grandma’s door was always open with a hug and typically a warm meal waiting inside.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Gonzales.  She leaves behind her adoring family Alicia Laidler and her husband Brian, Deanie (Mona) Goebel and her husband Todd, and Vickie Gizzi and her husband Steve; five grandsons Jez Evans and his wife Lauren, Jake Goebel and his wife Meghan, Michael Evans and his wife Karina, Keifer Evans and Bret Laidler; and those great grandchildren Isaiah, Brody, Bryndan, Ryan, Grey, and Roy. 

We have no words to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to her oldest grandson, Jez, for devoting the last few years of his life to the care of our mom in her greatest time of need.  Allowing her to stay in her own home under the care of her most loved ones was a selfless sacrifice that can never been compensated.  It meant more to her family than anyone can understand.

There will be a visitation Tuesday evening, January 17, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Sterling White Funeral home, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd., Highlands, TX 77562.  Her services will be held there January 18 at 10:00 am.