Jeff Doby

Jeff Doby, son raised by a strong Southern family, was born in April 1907 in Camden, South Carolina. He departed his life on April 14, 2005 after a lengthy illness at the age of ninety-eight years old. Born the son of a slave, in Camden, South Carolina, JEFF DOBY, my grandfather, was the youngest of eight siblings. Jeff Doby was raised among a family of four girls and one of four boys. I will never forget the way of allowing me to talk with him, when I had what I thought at that time was serious problems, but as he looked on with a strong face, he would never advise us to quit, but to keep on striving. Today, I can honestly say that it was his advice that contributed to my own personal success today. His morals and ethical beliefs, lives in all of us, as he passed them down from our parents to through us to our own children. Although he never received a high school diploma, he sought ways to best support his family. He worked as janitor of The Jackson High School located in the main city of Camden, South Carolina. He later retired, but still he worked in the fields to continue earning his wages. He was able to own and manage his own land. With that he was able to support his family from earnings made from his crops and livestock. Jeff Doby then married Mrs. Bessie Doby (mother); during the span of his life, he fathered six children, Frank Adams (son) and daughters, Rosa Lee Hampton, Louise Mitchell, Amanda Porter, Viola Johnson and Louise Mitchell (same name as his other daughter) along with a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jeff had many friends wherever he went and will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him. He was always a true friend and a devoted family man. In 1998, he would later move to Baltimore City to live with one of his daughters, Mrs. Rosa Lee Hampton and her husband Mr. Herman Hampton, where he lived for us for a short time, because of the much needed medical attention and his battle with a serious illness, our family could hardly provide the necessary care he needed. Later he was welcomed with open arms of professional loving care in joining what is known as his extended family at Villa Saint Michaels here in Baltimore City. Our family would like to recognize the entire staff of Villa Saint Michaels for the quality service and comfort they administered to my grandfather, I'm grateful for the efforts of time and care they provided to my Pop Pop (grandfather). I was one of those persons whom took his advice when it was needed. I remember as we sat on my mother's front porch, he listened to my frustration as I complained of no one wanting to hire me for a job with just a high school diploma. After spending days and countless hours filling out job applications; searching for work all over Baltimore City, he just rolled his smoking pipe in his mouth and calmly suggested that I join the service, knowing my mother would not agree, he gave me the opportunity to make one of the most important decisions I would ever make, to join the military service. Now I stand before you a retired service member of twenty-two years. Let's me know if he was in my place he would have done the same thing. I love my grandfather and know he's up there looking down on me with all my other family members who have passed taking his place next to God.

Tributes

Jeff Doby

May 10, 1907 - April 14, 2005