Doris Regina Quinn's Obituary
Doris Regina Shaw Quinn, 90, of Memphis, TN, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026.
Doris Regina Shaw Quinn, the only child of Thelma Jones and Cleotha Shaw was born in Haywood County, Tennessee on May 31, 1935. At the age of 11, she accepted Christ and united with Danceyville CME Church in August of 1946. The family moved to Memphis in 1947, and she later became a member of Trinity CME Church in 1948. “Jean” graduated from Manassas High School in 1952 and married John H. Quinn that same year. From that union, 5 children were born: Bruce, Shaweda, Susan, Sherrye, and Stacey.
In 1961, she was baptized by Rev. Walter Ragsdale and became a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. In 1966, she received a certificate from Memphis Area Vocational Technical School and became a Nursing Assistant at the old John Gaston Hospital for 2 years. In 1969, she received a license to become an LPN from the State of Tennessee after completion of the Nursing program at the Vocational School and passing State Board Exams. She returned to the hospital and was employed there another 25 years, retiring November 11, 1994. During her employment, she received many certificates and awards for her skills in patient care, employee relations, as well as gaining continuing education units.
Doris Quinn became a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in 1974 during the pastorage of Rev. Q.C. Billops. She became much more involved in church activities after she retired from The Med in 1994.
Her love for Memphis was shown in her generous contributions to churches, colleges, libraries, and other organizations that exemplified her passions, ideals, beliefs, and love for people.
Doris dedicated her life to many different activities at church and in the community; those including, Co-Editor of the Bethlehem Star, Director of Health Services, Secretary/Treasury for Mother Board, Assistant Sunday School Teacher, President of Elnora Farwell Chapter Senior Leaders for 15 years, Director of Elnora Farwell Chapter Senior Leaders for 7 years, Coordinator for Neighborhood Commodities Program, a Member of Missionary Society, and a Member of the Amicae Auxiliary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. - Alpha Eta Zeta Chapter.
She enjoyed spending her time journaling, writing poetry, reading, doing crossword puzzles, traveling, and listening to all types of music.
Through the many chapters of her life, what she cherished most was being a mother to her five wonderful children, loving them and teaching them. She was so proud of how intelligent, industrious, decent, respectable, Christian individuals they were and that they taught their children the same things she instilled so deeply in them. “I love them. I’m proud of them, and my prayer was always that God would bless them.”
In addition to her parents, Thelma Jones and Cleotha Shaw, she is preceded in death by her son, Bruce Quinn, and granddaughter, Kimberly Gates.
She leaves to cherish her memory her brother Samuel Shaw (Indiana), and her sisters, Jessie Faye Henderson, and CleLeatha Shaw (Illinois). Continuing her legacy are her daughters, Shaweda Gates, Susan Brady (Ray), Sherrye Quinn, and Stacey Jill Smith (Julian); her grandchildren, LaShunda Wells (Steve), Jermaine Quinn (Valerie), Bruce Wilson Quinn (Stephanique), Angela Jones (Jacques), Shawn Gates (Alexandria), Anastasia Smith, Julian H. Smith, II., and Regina Smith. She leaves a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.
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