Doris Culton Singleton, 84, of Orlando, Fla.,
died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999.

Doris Culton was born in Tulia, Texas to Velma (Lanford) Culton and Don Henry Culton on April 21, 1914. Her mother died when she was four. Her father, a lawyer with the firm of Culton, Morgan, Britain, and White, then married Ora Cook. She lived in her childhood and teenage life in the Panhandle area of Texas. Doris trusted Christ as her personal Savior as a child through the ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1931.

Doris attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. Doris was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority at U.T. It was there at the University that she met William Madison (Rip) Singleton at a school dance. She and Rip married January 2, 1938. Their wedding took place in St. Anthony's hospital as Doris unexpectedly had an appendicitis attach the day before the wedding. Not to be deterred, they were married by the Presbyterian pastor in "hospital white" with the groom holding the bride's hand while she lay in bed! Doris said that she giggled when the pastor said, "In sickness and in health."

Although Doris had a degreen in Education, and did a little substitute teaching, her primary "job" was that of homemaker which she did very well. Doris and Rip lived for 25 years in Pasadena, Texas, where Rip worked Todd Shipyards, and then for Brown and Root Marine Operators. They raised four children: Don Singleton of Tulsa, OK; Bill Singleton of Lawton, OK; Bob Singleton of Orlando, FL; and Sue (Singleton) Bryant of Orlando, FL. When Rip retired in 1975, they moved back to Amarillo. Her husband died June 21, 1982, but Doris continued to live in Amarillo until 1996 when she moved to Orlando, Florida to be closer to her family. Two of her four children, and five of her six grandchildren live there, so she was surrounded by lots of love. Her grandchildren are Jeannie Sue Singleton of Lawton, Oklahoma; Daniel Singleton of Orlando, Florida; Kristin and Robert Singleton of Orlando, Florida, and Jamieson and Jonathan Bryant of Orlando, Florida.

Among her many civic activities were her memberships in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Women's Club of Amarillo, and the Junior League Clubs of Amarillo, Texas and of Houston, Texas. Doris and Rip loved golf, and played often at the Amarillo Country Club.

Doris attended Paramount Baptist Church while living in Amarillo. She and Rip both had a heart for reaching the world for Christ. For this reason, they invested family members, prayers, and finances in their church and in missionary work throughout their lives.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Survivors include a daughter, Sue Bryant of Orlando; three sons, Don Singleton of Tulsa, Okla., Bill Singleton of Lawton, Okla., and the Rev. Bob Singleton of Orlando; and six grandchildren.

Services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb 20, 1999 in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St., with Dr. Bob Singleton officiating. Entombment was in Llano Mausoleum.

The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Panhandle Chapter, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106; or the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell, Amarillo, TX 79109.