Doris Bearr

Doris Bearr was born Oct. 11, 1930, in Altoona, the daughter of Homer Joseph and Jessie Mildred (Lafferty) Bearr. She died at home on Oct. 11, 2024, in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 94. Doris grew up in Altoona and graduated from Altoona High School in 1948.

Following graduation, Doris started working at the Altoona Mirror in the Classified Department. Over the years, she took a few classes at Penn State Altoona. In 1992, Doris retired as Head of Finance at the Altoona Mirror, which concluded her 44-year career with the Mirror.

Doris loved music and sang soprano with the Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church Choir, the Altoona Choral Society and the Kiwanis Club Choir. Another great love for Doris was teaching children in Sunday school at Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church, Altoona YWCA and Jaggard First United Methodist Church. Doris Participated over the years in many volunteer activities through fifth Avenue United Methodist Church.  The past eight years, Doris resided in Tyler, Texas. However, her heart always belonged to God, Family, Pennsylvania, Penn State and her beloved Altoona.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Richard Bearr; a sister, Jane Swengle and her husband, Sheldon Swengle; and sister, Helen and her husband, Richard Laulor.

Doris is survived by Barbara Bearr, sister-in-law of San Antonio, Texas; Ann and Patrick Casey, niece and husband of Castroville, Texas; David and Dianne Bearr, nephew and wife of Westminster, Md.; Jim and Joyce Harrell, nephew and wife of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; Jeanne and Jimmy Bernard, niece and husband of Edgewater, Md.; Craig and Tammy Swengle, nephew and wife of Collinsville, Okla.; Carolyn Allen, niece, of Lake Junaluska, N.C.; Marilyn Bearr, niece, of Tyler, Texas; and many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Thank you to all who adored Aunt Doris in Tyler, Texas: Tina, her hairdresser; the pastors at Marvin Methodist Church, especially Brandy Stevens; the staff at Harbor Hospice, especially Ashley; and caregivers through "Caring for You," especially Margarita.

East Texas Mortuary Services in Tyler, Texas was responsible for transition to Altoona. Doris is under the care of Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc., Altoona. She will be laid to rest between her parents at Ashbury United Methodist Cemetery, Altoona.

The family asks that memorials for Doris be sent to Jaggard First United Methodist Church, 1801 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602.