Doris Elaine Monteith Sharpton

Doris passed peacefully in her sleep on October 9, 2019 at age 94, in Albuquerque, NM.  She was born and grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and was a descendant of early settlers in the area.  She was the third of six children born to Thomas Lenville Monteith and Ellen Elizabeth Bryson Monteith.  Because of her strong will and determination, she overcame many challenges to graduate from Western Carolina University in three years with high honors and went on to teach school for 25 years, which she enjoyed very much.  While teaching in Miami, Fl, she received a Teacher of the Year award and completed her Masters Degree in Education at Miami University.  She was artistic, using her talents to facet gemstones, enjoy photography, and paint with oils and watercolors.  Doris spent as much time as possible in the outdoors--hiking, camping, picnicking, or working in her garden.  She enjoyed traveling and family get-togethers, the bigger the better!  "Her personality was larger than life and her legacy of being a strong, independent, caring woman will rest forever deep in our hearts."  (by Elizabeth Monteith Armijo).  "She is now walking with Mom and Cricket (her sisters) among the rocks and streams of the mountains that created them." (by Patric Long).

She is survived by her children, Sarah Ellen Sharpton and Ronald Kenneth Sharpton, both of Albuquerque, NM.  She is also survived by her sister, Francis June Mannos, her sister-in-law, Janice Monteith, and a number of nieces and nephews.  She requested that no services be held and that her ashes be placed in the Rose Garden at Vista Verde Cemetery, in Rio Rancho, NM.  We wish to thank the staff of Bee Hive Homes at Volcano Vista and her hospice nurses, Barbara and Missy, for their compassion and excellent care of our Mother.