Obituary of Doris Mae Rorex

Doris Mae Rorex | Mother, Retired LPN, Lover of the Lord Doris Mae Rorex, 78, a former resident of Pueblo, Colo., for 38 years, passed away Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, peacefully at her home in Denver, Colo., surrounded by her family. A retired Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) of 30 years, Doris worked at the Colorado State Hospital, Parkview Hospital, and St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, Colo.; and Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver, Colo. She had a “caregiving” spirit (just like her mother), it was truly her gift! She cared for thousands of people and found joy in putting smiles on their faces. “Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart.” Doris was born on March 23, 1945, in Montgomery, Ala., to parents Sylvester Sr. (daddy), a steelworker, and Janie Owens (Dea), a homemaker. She was the third oldest child of seven. Doris and her siblings were brought up in a close-knit loving family, they were raised to love the Lord, and worshipped at Beulah Baptist Church as well as New Bethany Baptist Church in Pueblo. Education, going to church, hard work, integrity/honesty, trust, giving back, and serving the Lord was strongly enforced by her parents! Her daddy took a job at the Steel Mill in the late 1940s, moving the family to Pueblo, Colo. Doris attended public schools in Pueblo and graduated from Central High in 1963 where she ran track and played on the Women’s Basketball team. After graduating high school, she attended Colorado State University Pueblo, then went to nursing school to obtain her LPN nursing license. Doris married the late Jerry Leroy Rorex in 1965, in Pueblo, and together they had six children: Sheila, Cherry, Lori, Jerry (J.J.), Adriane, Letitia. She raised her children with the same values she received as a child; education, going to church, hard work, integrity/honesty, trust, giving back, and serving the Lord. She loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother! Her FAMILY (sisters, brother, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews) was her world! There was not a day that went by that she didn’t talk to at least one of her children or family members. Her favorite phrase when someone called her: “Hello Blessed and Highly Favored”… and would close the phrase, personalizing it to whoever she was speaking to with words such as: My Sheila, My Cherry, My Lori, My Jay, My Adriane, My Tish-Baby Girl, Blessed Man of God, Sister, Brother, Niece, Nephew, Grandson, Granddaughter, Billionaire, Trillionaire, Millionaire… EVERYONE was very special to her! She loved building and maintaining relationships! She enjoyed cooking and baking, in fact, the day before she was admitted to the hospital on Oct. 21, she baked a birthday cake for her baby girl, Tish, who turned 50! She celebrated with the entire family from Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo! Doris enjoyed daily walks, and taking care of her great-grandkids, Javelle (4-years old) and Jabari (23 months), on Mondays and Tuesdays until the week she was admitted to the hospital. She was a strong-strong woman and truly loved family and friends! Doris would send a DAILY prayer and devotional text message to her entire contact list starting the message with the phrase: “Good Morning Blessed and Highly Favored!” We would be remiss if we didn’t mention, those who knew Doris, knew NOT to call her at 6:00 PM (MST), that is when she was parked in front of the Television, watching her (and her sister Lottie’s) favorite TV show, JEOPARDY! Doris loved traveling with her family to her grandsons’ in-state and out-of-state basketball games. She always tuned in to girls’ and boys’ college basketball games, one of the highlights of her life. She was an active member of Colorado Community Church in Aurora, Colo., and was dedicated to serving the Lord with her whole heart. She built new friendships with members of the church, specifically, Carole, who always saved a seat in the front for her. She attended the yoga, knitting classes at the church, and always looked forward to Sunday morning services. She also loved listening to Dale Bronner and watched his services on YouTube EVERYDAY! Message from her children: “Mom, your entire family will miss your voice, tender love and care, baking and cooking for holidays and birthdays; and making homemade chicken vegetable soup for all who were sick. MOM, YOU WERE TRULY ONE OF A KIND” … As an amazing caregiver, Doris had the incredible honor of being present for her baby sister, Betty Owens, and beautiful mother, Janie Owens when they passed. She would rub their legs and feet, making sure they were comfortable. Doris’ children also made sure their mother was taken care of. They had the incredible honor of being present from the day Doris got sick to the day she passed, rubbing her legs, feet, making sure she was comfortable… What a blessing! Doris was adored by many with her generous spirit, beautiful smile, and loving personality. Her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her. Doris looked forward to visiting her sister, Annie Owens weekly. The time they spent together was priceless. On Thursday, October 19, 2023, Doris went to visit her sister (for the last time). Doris and daughter Sheila picked up Popeyes chicken for Annie and spent quality time with her. Doris combed her hair and just loved on her. When they left the visit, Doris’s words to her daughter Sheila were, “Now My Work is Done”. There were no more additions or adjustments necessary for Doris – her journey was complete. God went to prepare a place for her, he came back on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 5:40 a.m. and welcomed her into his presence. Doris loved owls which symbolized inner wisdom, change, transformation, intuitive development, good luck, and self-actualization. One spiritual meaning for the owl is that Doris is sending a message to everyone, communicating, “Hey, I’m OK.” Doris was preceded in death by her father and mother, Sylvester Sr., and Janie Owens; brothers, Darryl Owens, and Sylvester Owens, Jr.; sister, Betty Owens-Oden; and nephew, Darryl Troy Owens. Her life will forever be cherished in the lives of her six children, Sheila (Moses) Ogbuokiri, Cherry (Reginald) Reynolds, Lori (Darryl) Collier, Jerry (Dena) Rorex, Adriane (Nelson) Onyegbule of Denver, Colo., and her baby girl, Letitia Jones of Houston, Tx; two sisters, Lottie (Cecil) Hollier of Pueblo, Colo., Annie Owens of Denver, Colo., and brother Ansley Owens of Pueblo, Colo.; five grandchildren, Shaunte (Alvin) Austell of Atlanta, Ga., Dereck Rorex, Dominique Collier, Briana Rorex and Shamaya Carter of Denver, Colo.; seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Doris, you are Beloved by Many! Doris is Safely Home… Rest in God’s Glory.