Doris Gray Norwood Thurkill , March 12, 1932 — July 09, 2018

Mrs. Doris Norwood Hight Thurkill, age 86, of the Deep River Community of Sanford, N.C., was carried home by the angels on Monday, July 9, 2018. Her funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at Flat Springs Baptist Church by Dr. Gary McCullough. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall. She was born March 12, 1932, to the late Jack Norwood and Ruby Inez Norwood. She loved her family — and was a great caregiver for her parents.

Her brothers, Arnold and Judson, were dear to her as well. She was a 1950 graduate of Chapel Hill High School. Doris was married to Henry A. Hight Jr., and they lived in Elizabethtown and Carthage while he served in the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

Doris and Henry were married until his untimely death in 1962. Doris was blessed to find a second love, Donald R. Thurkill, and they were married for 46 years before his death in 2012. Doris had a number of vocations throughout the years, including work at Belk in Sanford, as a dental assistant to Dr. P.E. Cotter in Sanford, and the position she most enjoyed — secretary at Flat Springs Baptist Church.

Doris loved her Flat Springs Baptist Church family and took great pleasure in attending church activities as long as her health permitted. She especially loved her Sunday School class and participating in the Senior Adult Ministry. She was proud to be a Christian and enjoyed listening to gospel music.

Doris also enjoyed being a member of the Deep River Canasta Club and visiting with her friends in the group. Doris loved her family and was especially proud of her grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Minter and husband Tilla of Sanford; son, R.V. Hight and wife Bunnie of Sanford; grandchildren, Christopher Hight and wife Jenni of Morrisville, and Holly Hight and Jordan Minter, both of Sanford; sister-in-law, Ethel Thurkill of Shelby; and nieces and nephews.

The family is especially grateful to the staff at Parkview Retirement Center for their care and compassion. Memorials may be made to Flat Springs Baptist Church, 4148 Deep River Road, Sanford, N.C. 27330.

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