Doris Allen Southern

Doris Allen Southern, beloved wife of George Southern, passed away suddenly at her home in Oyster, Virginia, on June 23, 2020. Friends are invited to gather outdoors at her home from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at 6567 Broadwater Circle.

Known to all her friends as Dorie, she and her husband had recently returned to Oyster for the summer after wintering at their home in West Palm Beach, Florida. The family wishes everyone to know that following a full examination, medical authorities found no evidence of COVID-19.

In addition to her husband, Dorie is survived by her children, Gabriel Southern and his wife Sophie of San Jose, California; Kimberly Southern of Oyster; Kelly Williams and her husband Matt of Arlington, Virginia; Kristina Southern of Arlington; brothers John Outten of St. Cloud, Florida; David Outten of Duluth, Georgia; sisters Janet Beatty of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; Carol Hinkle of Denver, Colorado; and grandchildren Georgia and Graham Williams.

Dorie was born August 27, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Nancy and Burnet Outten. She was retired from the U.S. Department of State, where she oversaw the supply of china and silverware to the more than 200 diplomatic missions worldwide. Earlier, along with her husband, she worked at U.S. embassies and consulates in Guadalajara, Mexico; Bridgetown, Barbados; Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa; and Brussels, Belgium.

Dorie loved to garden and to work outdoors, even insisting on always mowing the grass herself. She always had a project under way, and recently along with her daughter Kim purchased a house from Hog Island that had been brought to Oyster many years ago. Restoration of the house was under way at the time of her passing. She was also devoted to the ideal of social justice, both for people and animals. Her favorite charitable organization was Farm Sanctuary, accessible at farmsanctuary.org.

No formal service is planned, but in keeping with social distancing guidelines, the family hopes to visit with as many of her friends as possible 3-5 p.m. Sunday, July 5, in her garden behind her home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore, Virginia.