Doris Jean McCann was born December 24, 1928 in Silerton, Hardeman County, Tennessee. She was the second child born to James Stacy McCann and Annie Graple Rush. Growing up in the closeknit community among friends and extended family gave Doris the values and skills of hardwork, fortitude, and determination.
Doris is fondly remembered for her Southern charm, quick wit and storytelling. She was a woman of strength and courage. She will be missed and lovingly remembered.
Doris is preceded in death by her parents James Stacy McCann and Annie Graple Rush; her sisters Hugholene McCann Faust, Fetty Mae McCann, Jimmie Ann McCann Murley; her husband Raymond Erwin, and her son Rentz Conway Erwin. She is survived by her son Hugh Harris (Deborah Finnerty) of Florida and daughter Kathi Harris Pull (David Pull) of St. Louis; grandson Matthew Harris (Ashly) of Florida; and great granddaughter Harper Wren Harris of Florida.
SERVICES: Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Road Affton, Missouri 63123) 0n Friday, March 21, 4:00 p.m. until funeral service at 6:00 p.m. Interment at Sunset Memorial Park on Saturday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
I did not know Doris but I felt like I knew her from family conversations. May she rest in peace. I’m sending my condolences to Doris’s family and friends.
God bless Mom Doris and all your family with comfort as you say goodbye. For thirty years I enjoyed the special bond only grandmas can share, what a special blessing for each of us. Happy memories will brighten the sad days ahead. Sending love and hugs to all my St. Louis kids. xoxo
Mike is sending condolences as he remembers how wonderful Mom Doris was to him all those years that we shared as family. She made him very happy by always sending birthday cards or even Christmas cards with money for him. He looked forward to that every birthday & Christmas. Mom Doris blessed Mikes’ life with her thoughtfulness, knowing she went out of her way to make him happy. He looked forward to those cards and gifts, the gift Mom Doris gave him with love, and he loved her back. Mike shares your grief and sadness. He fondly recalls our visit many years ago to St. Louis where she welcomed us into her home, shelter and food for the night, a very happy memory.
A favorite memory for Mike and I is Mom Doris’ love of fruitcake, one of her favorite Christmas gifts. For as many years as I can recall it was it was our tradition, Mom Katie baked them, Mom Doris loved them. A fun memory to share and bring a smile to her dear family.
Fannings Farm Fruitcake
A great Finnerty favorite for over 40 years, given to me by Aunt Cathy.
Christmas gift for Tom, Mike, Dave, Bob, Mom Doris
Cook 5 min. 1 lb raisins
1½ c. water
1½ c. sugar
Add: ¼ c. oleo or butter
Cool
Sift: 2½ c. All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ground cloves
1/3 tsp. allspice
¼ tsp. salt (or less) (original called for ½ tsp)
Add: ½ c. chopped nuts (I use pecans & a small amt. of black walnuts which give it a very good flavor. I always use more, about ¾ c. nuts)
12 oz. glaced fruits
Beat 2 eggs until light & add to cooled raisin mixture.
Beat in dry ingredients & mix thoroughly.
Add 1 tsp. lemon extract.
Bake in 8 in. tube pan 1½ hrs at 325 degrees or in 2 loaf pans for about 1 hr. & 10 min.
(Put heavy brown paper on bottom of pan) or parchment paper
I place waxed paper on that to fit the pans and put batter into that. Cakes lift out easily and are partially wrapped in wax paper. Hardly any clean-up.
Katie’s Tips:
To make 8 loaf size gifts I buy:
3 1 lb. containers of Extra Fancy Fruit Cake Mix dried fruits
4 lbs raisins
Making the recipe 4 times yields the 8 loaf pans. Using 3 containers of dried fruit gives the exact amt needed for 4 recipes.
Buying 2 packages of 1/3 c. size black walnuts gives the right amount for 4 recipes.
Sometimes I add the lemon extract to the raisin liquid mixture which makes it easier to blend with all ingredients.
12/06