Obituary of Doris Burks Stanley

Doris Wellington Burks Stanley, a lifetime Bedford resident who loved everyone she ever met, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2023 at the Bedford County Nursing Home. While nobody can possibly list all the gifts she left behind, among them were selflessness, kindness, gentleness, gratitude, and the joyfulness of a big smile.
  
She was born on May 12, 1924 in Sedalia and was preceded in death by her husband, James A. “Buck” Stanley; her father, Frank Wellington Burks and her mother, Sally Ethel Wheat Burks; and her five siblings: Mary, Hallie, Frances, Reed, and Bill. She is survived by her daughter, Julie Stanley; son, Jim Stanley and his wife, Teresa; grandsons Beckham Stanley and his fiancé, Caroline Bones, and Davis Stanley and his wife, Emily; great grandson, Reed Stanley; and step great grandchildren, Naomi, Iris, and Toby; a beloved sister-in-law, Jeannine Burks; and many nieces and nephews.

Doris imparted upon her family a great love for Virginia, politics, genealogy, hard work, baked apples, oatmeal cookies, okra pie, volunteering, Westview Avenue, Bedford County, its culture, and its people - to many of whom she was related.  More than anything, she stayed true to herself as the world around her constantly changed in unimaginable ways. She embraced those challenges and believed in humanity’s ultimate struggle to make life better for everyone. Her life’s work included being a wife, parent, grandparent; working in the Bedford County Treasurer’s Office for 30 years; and volunteering with numerous organizations in Bedford including Main Street United Methodist Church, Bedford Memorial Hospital, the Bedford Genealogical Society, and the Museum. She knew the future belongs most to those who fight for the wellbeing of others and raised her family accordingly. 

The family is especially grateful to the staff of the Bedford County Nursing Home for their loving care over almost six years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Sedalia Center at www.Sedaliacenter.org, Main Street UMC, or simply introduce yourself to someone you don’t know-and make a new friend. 

A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Dawn Compton officiating.  There is no visitation.   

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.