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Doris (Downer) Hall
May 10, 2021

Obituary

Doris (Downer) Hall, 94, of Westport, MA and Ocala, FLpassed away unexpectedly, on Monday, May 10, 2021 at home, and now eternally rests in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Doris was born in Central Delicias, Cuba on July 3, 1926 at 173 Vista Allegre. She was the daughter of Jamaican immigrants John Adolphus and Laura Allen. She was one of ten siblings – three brothers and six sisters, Insfield Downer (d), Catherine Foster (d), Julie Stout (d), William Downer (d), Lily Lewis (d), Mimy Downer (d), Daisy Bolton (d), Nelly Allen (a), and Hector Downer (a).

Doris, known as Dora to her family lived in Cuba and worked on the Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay as a housekeeper for senior Naval Officers until the early 1960s. It was then she fled Fidel’s communist regime and immigrated to New York City. Shortly after arriving to the United States, she met and married her late husband Sidney Hall, Sr. Together they owned and operated a premiere clothing alteration shop in the bustling district of Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn for many yearsin pursuit of the American dream.The untimely end of their businessrequired Doris to shift her career intereststonursing. She studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, while working as a dental hygienist and preforming private alternations in her spare time.Moreover, when there was no time left in the day, she sold and delivered Avon, all while maintaining her love of the Lord through prayer and worship (if there ever was a praying mother, it was her)!

Once again Doris changed course in pursuit of the promised dream, not for her but instead for her only child – Sidney Jr. Abandoning the completion of her nursing credentials in hopesto once again open a tailor shop, she moved to Silver Springs Shores – a newly built community in Ocala, Florida being marketed to New York families. As Sidney Sr. stayed behind in New York to save more money for the business, she worked as a CNA and then a drug and alcohol counselor. Taking ill, Sidney Sr. finally moved down to Florida and passed away soon after.In spite of this and many future obstacles, Doris continued on in a life of purpose, sacrifice, and selfless love.

She was a member of the Shores Baptist Church in Ocala, FL for over 20 years.Mrs. Hall enjoyed sewing, praying, reading her Bible and singing in the choir. And, she loved to laugh!

The legacy she leaves is as follows. A God-fearing and loving mother, aunt, grandmother, and great aunt who counted it as a blessing to love her family with everything she had. Doris leaves to mourn one son: Sidney Hall, Jr. and his wife Naomi of Westport; a sister: Nelly D. Allen of Havana, Cuba; four grandchildren: Zachary Davis, Sidney Hall III, Mia Hall and Christina Hall; and many beloved nieces and nephews to carry her memory along with a host of old friends, new friends, and mere acquaintances. Doris lived to love – rich in the substance of life itself, she gave it freely to all who would listenand receive.

Rest in peace and rise in glory daughter of the Most High God.

Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the Potter Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M.

Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. prior to the service.


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Potter Funeral Service
81 Reed Road
Westport, MA 02790
508-636-2100