Doris was born in Nashville, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Harry Levern Bear and Joyce Leona Brown Bear (Lankford). She was a 1950 graduate of North High School in Nashville. She was married to James Douglas “Doug” or “Cousin Looney” Sager, who preceded her in death in 2000. Doris first worked as a machine operator for the former Red Kap Industries, but her calling was her Children’s Ministry at First Baptist Church, where she worked in the Children's Sunday School Ministry for more than 50 years. There she was a servant to both the children AND their parents! Doris was a faithful member at First Baptist for more than 60 years. She was an excellent seamstress and made clothing for her family. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her step-father, William Odell Lankford; a son, Brent Sager; a daughter, Cynthia M. Sager Vaughn; a brother, Walter Eugene Bear; and a sister, Joyce Lucille Hargrove Davis.
Survivors include three sons, Sam Sager of McEwen, TN, James Sager (and Carolyn) of Dickson, and Alan Sager (and Shawn) of Erin, TN; son-in-law, Garry Vaughn of Dickson; her brother, H. Henslee Lankford of Smyrna, TN; 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren (and one more on the way!).
“Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” -- Proverbs 31:28-31
