Obituary of Doris DeJesus Rodriguez

Doris DeJesus Rodriguez
1934-2023

After a long-term illness Doris Rodriguez of Lake Alfred, Florida passed away on April 15, 2023 at the age of 89.  She was a devoted wife and a loving mother.  Doris is survived by her husband Mario Rodriguez of 68 years of marriage, daughters: Yvonne Rivera, Wanda Horn (Mike), Minerva Smith (Ben) and Marta Rodriguez; 9 grandchildren:  Desi Rivera, Jasmin Negron, John Horn, Jr., Desiree Rivera, Jose Rodriguez, Adrian Rivera, Gabriel Rivera, Maritza Foland (Erik), and Tracey McFarland (Kyle); 13 great-grandchildren: Giovanni Negron, Justin Negron, Marcus Negron, Kiernan Horn, Danielle Horn, John Horn 3rd, Teigen Horn, Nadia Foland, Landon Rivera, Kaidon Rivera, Kylie McFarland, Kendall McFarland, and Dax McFarland; and 1 great-great-great grandson: Coast Lucas.

Doris was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico on March 28, 1934, to Antonio DeJesus and Eufemia Rivera.  She graduated from a University in Puerto, Rico with a degree in Education.  On 14 May 1955 she married Mario, and they had 4 beautiful daughters.  Doris was a stay-at-home mom for several years to care for her husband and daughters.  Later in life she returned to teaching in Philadelphia – a job she truly enjoyed.  Doris was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness for over 60+ years.  She loved teaching others about Jehovah God’s new world where there will be peace on earth and death will be no more (Revelation 21:3,4).  After living in Philadelphia for most of her life, Doris retired and moved to the sunny state of Florida with Mario her husband.

Doris’ loved making jokes, laughing, singing, cooking, reading her Bible and teaching Bible truths to others. She also loved items with butterflies and rosters.  Yvonne would bring her a different roster each time she visited, and mom would display them all throughout the house.

Poem from her daughters: 

“You can only have one mother
Patient, kind and true.
No other friend in all the world.
Will be the same to you.
When other friends forsake you,
To mother you will return,
For all her loving kindness,
She asks nothing in return.
As we look upon her picture,
Sweet memories we recall,
Of a face so full of sunshine,
And a smile for one and all.”

Doris will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew and loved her.  She is now asleep in Jehovah’s memory.

Viewing and Service Location and Time:
Steele’s Family Funeral Services
207 Burns Lane, S.E.
Winter Haven, Florida 33884
Phone:  863-324-1475
Viewing April 21, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Service April 22, 2023 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. located at 342 Bolender Road, Auburndale, FL 33823