Photo © by Kay Marshall

Obit posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Doris Carter Luttrell’s wonderful journey through life came to a close on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.  A proud resident of Norman for over 56 years, Doris was a devoted wife and mother.  She also was a registered nurse, an educator, a tireless volunteer and a friend to hundreds of people.  Doris demonstrated her Christian faith by being a relentless force of love in the world.  She will be deeply missed.

Doris was born on November 26, 1927 in Pflugerville, Texas, the daughter of Frank F. and Cleo B. Carter, and the younger sister to brothers Billy and Jack Carter, all of whom predeceased her.  Her childhood and teen years were spent in Smithville, Texas.  Doris wanted you to know she was elected May Queen when she was in first grade.  It was just the first inkling of a very special life.  She graduated from Smithville High School in 1945, and enjoyed returning often for reunions with her classmates.  Doris had only one kind of friend, and that was for life.

Following her high school graduation, Doris moved to Waco, Texas where she attended Hillcrest School of Nursing, graduating in 1949.  She then began her professional nursing career at Hillcrest Baptist Hospital, where she was given increasingly more responsible nursing assignments.

While at Hillcrest she met a young hospital executive, Richard C. Luttrell.  They were married on January 27, 1951.  Dick and Doris spent their early married years working together in Hillcrest, including during the Waco Tornado in 1953, which at the time was the worst tornado in Texas history.  They worked over 24 hours straight helping to care for those injured.

In November 1955, Dick accepted the position of hospital administrator of Norman Municipal Hospital, now known as Norman Regional Health System.  Even though her time was spent raising her two children, Doris was an enthusiastic supporter of the hospital from the moment she moved to Norman.  She also established close personal friendships with other administrators and their families throughout Oklahoma and the nation through Dick’s involvement with the Oklahoma Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association.

Dick and Doris joined Norman’s First Baptist Church in 1955.  They were both active and devoted members for the rest of their lives.  They were married for 46 years until Dick’s death in 1997.

To her children, Doris was more than just their mother.  She was their advocate, head cheerleader, mentor and best friend.  She taught her children the meaning of unconditional love which flowed from her in all circumstances.  Her love for them was as close to God’s love as a human can get.

Doris was very active in her children’s activities, and served as a Sunday School Teacher, and leader in both Cub Scouts and Campfire Girls.  She was a member of the Woodslawn Garden Club from 1955 until her death.  In her later years, Doris was also a member of Leaders Plus Class.

As her children grew up, Doris found new opportunities for her nursing career.  She occasionally would return to be a substitute nurse at Hillcrest in Waco to keep her skills current.  She also served as the camp nurse for the Thunderhawk Cheerleading Camp at the University of Oklahoma, and later taught L.P.N’s and nurse’s aides at the Moore-Norman Vo-Tech Center.  She inspired several of her students to become Registered Nurses.

Doris was a devoted fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, Baylor Bears and the Oklahoma City Thunder.  She and her husband Dick were season ticket holders for both Sooner football and basketball.  She was recently excited to receive a get well phone call from Coach Lon Kruger, and a get well card signed by Coach Kruger, Coach Sherri Coale and Toby Rowland.  The family wishes to thank each of them for their kindness.

Doris was an avid reader.  She was an active patron of the Norman Public Library for many years, and passed on her love of reading to her children.  She enjoyed her membership in two book clubs in Norman, Coterie and Ex Libris.

Doris’s greatest volunteer love was the Norman Regional Hospital Auxiliary.  She joined the Auxiliary in 1965, and was a Lifetime Member.  She contributed over 9,000 hours of service working at the information desk and surgery waiting.  (That does not include countless trips with Dick and family to drive around the hospital campus to make sure things were okay every evening when they were in town.)  Doris was an enthusiastic supporter of the Red Stocking Follies, and helped organize the “Kids Are Special People” events, where school children visited the hospital campus to learn how to grow up safe and healthy.  She served as President of the Auxiliary in 1988.

In 2002, a long-time dream of Doris and other Auxiliary members was fulfilled with the opening of the Hospitality House, an eight room guest house designed to offer a low-cost place to stay for families of NRHS patients.  Doris served on the building committee and was Chairman of the Hospitality House up until her death.  She devoted many hours greeting and comforting patient family members in times of stress.

Doris and her family would like to thank Thomas Merrill M.D, and Kristin Thorp M.D. for their devoted care throughout her final illness.  She considered both of them her dear friends.

The staff members of Norman Regional Hospital, Loving Care Home Health, and The Good Shepherd Hospice took exceptional care of Doris.  Her family will never forget their help.

She is survived by her son, Richard and his wife Sally of Richardson, Texas; a daughter Anne and her fiancé Chuck Lawrence of Norman.  Daughter-in-law Cindy Luttrell of Richardson.  Nephew Bob Luttrell and wife Dahl of Oklahoma City.   Nieces Linda Jewell and husband John of Oklahoma City, and Abby Luttrell of Los Angeles, California.  Great niece Jennifer Luttrell, and great nephews Geoff Luttrell, Alex Dow, Jason Jewell, Jared Jewell and Adam Jewell and their families.  Cousins John Culbertson, David Culbertson and wife Cindy and their children, Craig Culbertson and wife Darva.  Cousin Ann Carter of Houston, Texas and her family.  And scores of “adopted” nieces and nephews, grandchildren and one special great-grandchild.  You all know who you are.  She is also survived by many friends who helped Doris have truly a wonderful life. She wanted you to know that she loved each of you very much.

A memorial service to celebrate Doris’s life will be at 2 pm Friday, March 23, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Norman.  A graveside service will be Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. at I.O.O.F. Cemetery.