Obituary of Doris Smelser Fletcher

Doris Smelser Fletcher 83, of Herndon, Va. passed away, while surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 after enduring an extended illness . She was born on October 30,1936 in Pennsylvania and was the daughter of the late David B. Smelser & Nellie Wright Smelser.  Doris is survived by her husband of 65 years, Thomas (Jack) Fletcher; one daughter, Dawn Waters & husband Gregg of Herndon; two sons, Dale T. Fletcher of Herndon and Douglas D. 

Fletcher and wife Maureen of Ashburn, Va.; two grandchildren, Drew Fletcher of Ashburn, Va. and Caroline Fletcher of Los Angeles, California; one brother, David B. Smelser and wife Elizabeth Perez Smelser of Nokesville, Va.; daughter Denise S. Blankenship, niece and husband Wade Blankenship and their children, Paige and Nicholas of Manassas, Va.

Doris began her career In the late 1950’s having worked with the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover in Washington, D.C. for several years before marrying Thomas and moving to Herndon in 1957. Later on, she retired in 2005, after 35 years of employment with the Fairfax County Public Schools while working in Food Management.  Doris was also a part of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Herndon Volunteer Fire Dept. assisting them from 1958-1961.

Doris loved music and started learning to play the piano at a very young age.  She played the organ for the Calvary Baptist Church in Ashburn, Va. for 50 years and most recently she volunteered her services for 20 years while playing the keyboard for church services on Sundays at the Madison House in Leesburg, Va. as a part of the Christian Fellowship Church.

The family is requesting that donations be made, in lieu of flowers or gifts, in the memory of Doris Fletcher to the ALS Association @ alsa.org or to Hospice Vitas Healthcare @ VITAS.com. 

A graveside service is scheduled at Sterling Cemetery, located at 45835 Church Road, in Sterling on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM.  Following the graveside services, the family invites all to attend a celebration of life event to honor the life of Doris. This will be held at Clyde’s Willowcreek Farm, located at 42920 Broadlands Blvd. in Broadlands, Va. 20148.