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In Memory of

Rife, Doris Marie Singleton

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Obituary
Tribute Wall
Obituary of Rife, Doris Marie Singleton

Doris Marie Singleton Rife was born July 16, 1935 in Gary, Indiana and died April 12, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. Doris was the oldest of six siblings and during her early years was called upon to ‘parent’ some of the younger children due to her mother’s extended absence from the household while recovering from tuberculosis. Her experiences during this period undoubtedly contributed to Doris’ exceptional lifelong ability to organize and lead as well as inspiring her interest and insistence upon always helping others. Doris attended nursing school at St. Mary Mercy hospital in Gary where she received her RN in 1956.  Shortly after graduating she married the love of her life, Ronald Rife and they commenced their improbable lifetime journey of family, travel and adventure. After three children and ten years of marriage Doris felt the call of Jesus Christ for her family to relocate to Ghana, West Africa where she assisted Ron as he helped establish Ghana Christian University College.  Her nursing skills were valuable in teaching health classes as well as in protecting the lives of her family through several years dodging the ravages of malaria, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis. The second decade of marriage included this life in Ghana, along with travels throughout the rest of Africa, the Middle East and Europe after which Doris and family moved to Farmers Branch, Texas.  Her beloved house on Lavita Lane became the new focus of her fellowship of family and friends as she finished raising her last child then gladly proceeded to assist with her growing brood of grandchildren. The 'golden' years of life that most spend in retirement and relaxation, Doris spent in returning to Ghana with Ron to assist in the development of a new campus for Ghana Christian University College.  During the next dozen years her additional junkets to numerous locations across Africa and Europe held little interest for her compared to those regular short visits back to Texas and the chance to see her family. Doris is survived by her husband of nearly sixty-four years, Dr. Ronald Rife; three children; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by four sisters. Services will be under the direction of Gerth Funeral Home in Memphis, Missouri. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.

Tribute Wall of Rife, Doris Marie Singleton

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Comments

  1. Donna M Smaage says:

    Always calm, always smiling, always helpful is how I remember Doris during our time in Ghana. Our thoughts are with Ron, Greg, Pam, and Bryan.

    Donna M Smaage

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Always calm, always smiling, always helpful is how I remember Doris during our time in Ghana. Our thoughts are with Ron, Greg, Pam, and Bryan.

  2. Brent and Karen Berger says:

    One quote I will never forget was when I came to Central CC and she was the secretary. My first ministry was a little rough and I was concerned with what people would say about me leaving that previous church. She said,”Brent you can’t control what people say about you but you can control your character!” Wise woman!!

    Brent and Karen Berger

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    One quote I will never forget was when I came to Central CC and she was the secretary. My first ministry was a little rough and I was concerned with what people would say about me leaving that previous church. She said,”Brent you can’t control what people say about you but you can control your character!” Wise woman!!

  3. Paula Cooprider says:

    I am very sad to learn that Doris has passed. She was a special person and friend. Although you have been gone from Ellettsville for many years, I still treasure the time our families interacted.
    It is my prayer that you will feel God’s love during this sad time. PaulaP.S. What a beautiful picture of Doris.

    Paula Cooprider

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    I am very sad to learn that Doris has passed. She was a special person and friend. Although you have been gone from Ellettsville for many years, I still treasure the time our families interacted.
    It is my prayer that you will feel God's love during this sad time. PaulaP.S. What a beautiful picture of Doris.

  4. Ginny Hummell says:

    R.I.P my twin twister. You were a wonderful sister. I will always have a special place in my .

    Ginny Hummell

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    R.I.P my twin twister. You were a wonderful sister. I will always have a special place in my .

  5. Perry Stepp says:

    Praising God for Doris and Ron, and their incredible witness. May God watch over Ron and the family in their time of loss.

    Perry Stepp

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Praising God for Doris and Ron, and their incredible witness. May God watch over Ron and the family in their time of loss.

  6. Greg and Jeanette says:

    Our hearts and prayers are with you. We love you! Blessings of peace to you.

    Greg and Jeanette

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Our hearts and prayers are with you. We love you! Blessings of peace to you.

  7. Ginny Hummell says:

    My ‘Twin Twister” as we liked to call each other was such a guide to me as I grew to be a pre-teen at which time we were separated by the miles between PA ND IN. Even though I can’t see you, Doris, you will always have a very special place in my heart. Mat you rest in peace. Nameste’

    Ginny Hummell

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    My 'Twin Twister" as we liked to call each other was such a guide to me as I grew to be a pre-teen at which time we were separated by the miles between PA ND IN. Even though I can't see you, Doris, you will always have a very special place in my heart. Mat you rest in peace. Nameste'

  8. Jill Fearing says:

    Doris and Ron were our welcome to Dallas in 1980. They introduced us to our church family at Valley View Christian Church, recommended a realtor and arranged our being able to stay in the DCC dorm while we looked for our first house. They created a very warm landing place for us here. Greg and I will forever be grateful to them and to Jim & Pam Ruth (our good friends and neighbors during college) for creating that pathway for us.

    Doris was a wonderful lady.

    Jill Fearing

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Doris and Ron were our welcome to Dallas in 1980. They introduced us to our church family at Valley View Christian Church, recommended a realtor and arranged our being able to stay in the DCC dorm while we looked for our first house. They created a very warm landing place for us here. Greg and I will forever be grateful to them and to Jim & Pam Ruth (our good friends and neighbors during college) for creating that pathway for us.

    Doris was a wonderful lady.

  9. Corbin Bowles says:

    The Rife Family: I would like to extend my fullest condolences. There is so much that I didn’t know about Doris. I love the picture of her as a Nurse. One think I do remember is her smile. As long as I have known her, she had that smile. And so did Ron and Bryan for that matter. Forgive me, but I don’t recall the other sibling. We all know her redeemer lives, and we can’t help but smile with Doris!

    Corbin Bowles

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    The Rife Family: I would like to extend my fullest condolences. There is so much that I didn’t know about Doris. I love the picture of her as a Nurse. One think I do remember is her smile. As long as I have known her, she had that smile. And so did Ron and Bryan for that matter. Forgive me, but I don’t recall the other sibling. We all know her redeemer lives, and we can’t help but smile with Doris!

  10. Marilyn Kennedy says:

    Pam and Family, My thoughts are with you as your mom starts her forever with in Heaven.

    Marilyn Kennedy

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Pam and Family, My thoughts are with you as your mom starts her forever with in Heaven.

10 thoughts on “Rife, Doris Marie Singleton”

  1. Always calm, always smiling, always helpful is how I remember Doris during our time in Ghana. Our thoughts are with Ron, Greg, Pam, and Bryan.

    Donna M Smaage

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Always calm, always smiling, always helpful is how I remember Doris during our time in Ghana. Our thoughts are with Ron, Greg, Pam, and Bryan.

  2. Brent and Karen Berger

    One quote I will never forget was when I came to Central CC and she was the secretary. My first ministry was a little rough and I was concerned with what people would say about me leaving that previous church. She said,”Brent you can’t control what people say about you but you can control your character!” Wise woman!!

    Brent and Karen Berger

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    One quote I will never forget was when I came to Central CC and she was the secretary. My first ministry was a little rough and I was concerned with what people would say about me leaving that previous church. She said,”Brent you can’t control what people say about you but you can control your character!” Wise woman!!

  3. I am very sad to learn that Doris has passed. She was a special person and friend. Although you have been gone from Ellettsville for many years, I still treasure the time our families interacted.
    It is my prayer that you will feel God’s love during this sad time. PaulaP.S. What a beautiful picture of Doris.

    Paula Cooprider

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    I am very sad to learn that Doris has passed. She was a special person and friend. Although you have been gone from Ellettsville for many years, I still treasure the time our families interacted.
    It is my prayer that you will feel God's love during this sad time. PaulaP.S. What a beautiful picture of Doris.

  4. R.I.P my twin twister. You were a wonderful sister. I will always have a special place in my .

    Ginny Hummell

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    R.I.P my twin twister. You were a wonderful sister. I will always have a special place in my .

  5. Praising God for Doris and Ron, and their incredible witness. May God watch over Ron and the family in their time of loss.

    Perry Stepp

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Praising God for Doris and Ron, and their incredible witness. May God watch over Ron and the family in their time of loss.

  6. Greg and Jeanette

    Our hearts and prayers are with you. We love you! Blessings of peace to you.

    Greg and Jeanette

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Our hearts and prayers are with you. We love you! Blessings of peace to you.

  7. My ‘Twin Twister” as we liked to call each other was such a guide to me as I grew to be a pre-teen at which time we were separated by the miles between PA ND IN. Even though I can’t see you, Doris, you will always have a very special place in my heart. Mat you rest in peace. Nameste’

    Ginny Hummell

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    My 'Twin Twister" as we liked to call each other was such a guide to me as I grew to be a pre-teen at which time we were separated by the miles between PA ND IN. Even though I can't see you, Doris, you will always have a very special place in my heart. Mat you rest in peace. Nameste'

  8. Doris and Ron were our welcome to Dallas in 1980. They introduced us to our church family at Valley View Christian Church, recommended a realtor and arranged our being able to stay in the DCC dorm while we looked for our first house. They created a very warm landing place for us here. Greg and I will forever be grateful to them and to Jim & Pam Ruth (our good friends and neighbors during college) for creating that pathway for us.

    Doris was a wonderful lady.

    Jill Fearing

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Doris and Ron were our welcome to Dallas in 1980. They introduced us to our church family at Valley View Christian Church, recommended a realtor and arranged our being able to stay in the DCC dorm while we looked for our first house. They created a very warm landing place for us here. Greg and I will forever be grateful to them and to Jim & Pam Ruth (our good friends and neighbors during college) for creating that pathway for us.

    Doris was a wonderful lady.

  9. The Rife Family: I would like to extend my fullest condolences. There is so much that I didn’t know about Doris. I love the picture of her as a Nurse. One think I do remember is her smile. As long as I have known her, she had that smile. And so did Ron and Bryan for that matter. Forgive me, but I don’t recall the other sibling. We all know her redeemer lives, and we can’t help but smile with Doris!

    Corbin Bowles

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    The Rife Family: I would like to extend my fullest condolences. There is so much that I didn’t know about Doris. I love the picture of her as a Nurse. One think I do remember is her smile. As long as I have known her, she had that smile. And so did Ron and Bryan for that matter. Forgive me, but I don’t recall the other sibling. We all know her redeemer lives, and we can’t help but smile with Doris!

  10. Pam and Family, My thoughts are with you as your mom starts her forever with in Heaven.

    Marilyn Kennedy

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Pam and Family, My thoughts are with you as your mom starts her forever with in Heaven.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share A Message Or Condolence

Add Photo Memories with Rife,

The maximum upload file size: 100 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here