Doris Ruth Belk Tilley

Doris Ruth Belk Tilley, 93, died December 27, 2017 at Carillon Assisted Living. She was born on July 7, 1924 to the late Reece and Ruth Belk. She graduated from Union County High School and later Kings Business College in Charlotte. She retired as the secretary of the U.S. Army Research Office in Durham. Doris was an active member of the Durham 566 Chapter of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, where she served as 2nd Vice President as well as Public Relations Officer. Doris was a member of St. Paul???s Lutheran Church for 75 years. She held many positions to include the historian/archivist which resulted ineer writing two books on the history of the church. Doris was awarded ???The Bartlett Durham Award??? from the Durham County Historic Preservation in 1987. From 1978-1985 she was the organeer and coordinator of the canvas/survey of the counees old cemeteries. The committee found 11,000 graves in 250 church and family cemeteries. She is survived by her son Clifford R. (Cliff) Tilley and wife Diane; daughter Doris Anne Hair and husband Billy; two grandchildren Daniel R. Tilley and wife Heather and Kyle Hair, one great-grandson Preston C. Tilley; sister Elaine Belk; sister-in-law Leda Belk and neerous extended family. Doris was preceded ineeath by her husband of 54 years, Preston R. Tilley, twin infant sons and three brothers. A Celebration of her life will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017 from St. Paul???s Lutheran Church in Durham. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00-11:45 prior to the service at the church. A private burial will be held at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul???s Lutheran Church at 1200 W Cornwallis Rd, Durham, North Carolina 27705 or Duke Homecare and Hospice at 4321 Medical Park Dr. #101, Durham, NC 27704.