Doris Owens Wallace

Doris Owens Wallace will be fondly remembered for the twinkle in her eye, her good-natured banter, her cakes (always add vanilla and use milk in your cake mixes), her coveted fudge (with nuts or without), the jars of strawberry jam enjoyed to the last drop, the sound of her sewing machine as she crafted works of love, and the plethora of color and beauty from the mountains of flowers in her yard. The bigger and more colorful the flower, the better. She loved kittens almost, but not quite, as much as she loved her dearly beloved late husband, John Wallace.

Doris died on August 28, 2025, her wedding anniversary, at age 80, surrounded by love at her daughter’s home in Hillsborough, NC. Born and raised in Little Washington, NC, she asked everyone she met “where are you from?” because place mattered to her. Doris graduated from Washington High School, where she played clarinet in the marching band, and East Carolina University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. Holding hands with her sweetheart John through 44 years of marriage, Doris lived in and traveled to many places; California, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, Europe and Australia, even Oklahoma, and finally, when John retired, home to Eastern North Carolina, the place she loved best.

Doris was a daughter to Wilbert T. Owens and Callorie Cutler; a sister to Marie Toler, Patricia Stauffer, and Connie Owens; a cherished wife to her soulmate John Paul Wallace; a mother to her daughter Angie Holt and son Steven Owens Wallace; a mother-in-law to Ben Holt and Jill Wallace; a grandmother to Garrett Holt, Teddy Holt, Amelie Holt, Eleanor Wallace, Katherine Wallace and Liam Wallace; and an aunt, cousin, friend and neighbor to many.

Doris shared her love of gardening by becoming a Master Gardener and devoting her time, talents and skills to the Pitt County Community Garden where she mentored many, delighted in tomatoes, zinnias, and kindergarteners, and talked to everyone.

If so inclined, donations can be made in Doris's name to the Making Pitt Fit Community Garden, dropped off or mailed to 403 Government Cir, Suite 4 Greenville, NC 27834.

An open house for those who wish to gather to remember Doris will take place at her home on Sunday, August 31 from 11-2.