Doris Jean Leighton

Funeral services for Doris Jean Leighton were held December 5, 2014 at the Spellman-Schmidt Mortuary in Wray, Colorado with Reverend Wynkoop officiating.  Internment was at the Grandview Cemetery.  She departed this life at the age of 87 years and 10 months.

Doris Jean was born January 10, 1927 in Wray, CO to Ray T. and Cora Anderson.  Her early life was spent growing up on a farm south of Wray with her sister Beverly Rae.  Doris Jean loved to help her father on the farm and work outside.  She graduated from Wray High School in 1944 and eloped on October 6, 1945 with the love of her life, Samuel Benny Leighton, in a double ceremony with her sister Beverly Rae and Orval Eastin, in St. Francis, KS while the boys were on leave from World War II.

Doris Jean and Ben lived in Wray for a short period before moving to Kansas and lived there for 2 years.  They moved back to Wray and purchased the Black Wolf Creek Ranch south of Wray where they raised sheep, cattle, and horses.  During this time Ben and Doris Jean brought 23 Foster children into their home.  In 1967 they were honored at the Brown Palace in Denver together with four other foster parents from across the state, for excellence in caring for children with physical and emotional handicaps from varied racial and cultural backgrounds.

Doris Jean and Ben sold the ranch and moved into town on a small acreage at the edge of the city, where she lived until a year after her husband died in 1986.  She continued to live in Wray until 2006 when she moved to Pueblo, CO to live closer to her daughter.

Throughout her years in Wray, Doris Jean held multiple part-time and full time positions with JC Penney, Houtz Drug Store, Equitable Savings and Loan, Ken Lane Clothing, and the Treasurer’s office at the court house.  Doris Jean was an avid bowler throughout her adult life and was a part of many leagues in both Wray and Yuma, and competed in numerous state tournaments.  She was also an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and treasurer for the Wray High School Alumni Assn. for many years.

Doris Jean loved life and lifted the spirits of everyone around her.  Her family and friends have so many fond memories that can only be relayed with a smile.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, brother-in-law, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  Survivors include her children Samuel Mick (Debbie) Leighton, Terrence (Debi) Leighton, Benny Lee (Kristin) Leighton, and Carol Jean (Rick) Chiarito.

Doris Jean leaves her 11 greatly loved grandchildren, Tina Louise Leighton, Michelle Renee Leighton, Darbi Jo (Tony) Invergo, Samuel Trevor Leighton, Kyli De Leighton, Taren Nicole Leighton, Anne Marie (Paul) Spengler, Heidi Lee (Dave) Allen, Christopher (Arrah) Hall, Lindsay Dawn (Justin) Nordstrom, and Vinny Chiarito together with 3 step grandchildren Ricky Chiarito, ShellRae Chiarito and Wendy Johnson.

Doris Jean also leaves behind 12 treasured great grandchildren as well as 4 step great grandchildren and a host of beloved cousins, nephews, nieces, family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado, on Friday, December 5, 2014, 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Steve Wynkoop officiating. Interment was held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation or to the Wray Museum. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.