Doris Hogue

Doris Hogue, 88, born on November 20, 1935, in Wilkesboro, NC, United States to John Thomas Alexander and Wynola Belle Alexander.  Doris passed away February 23, 2024. She resided in Seal Beach, CA at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Cypress, CA.  

Doris loved to play with paper dolls and would cut out newspaper clippings of celebrities that lived in California like Elizabeth Taylor. She made scrapbooks and talked endlessly about living in California, having a big orange tree and traveling to exotic places.

She attended college at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. There she met Robert Allen Coles III and they fell in love. According to Doris, she turned him down for dates a few times but at a dance agreed to dance with him. As they talked during the dance, she realized that they had a lot in common. He asked her where she would like to travel and she indicated Eqypt. He replied “maybe we can go together”. That was all she wrote. They married and raised three children, went to Egypt, Paris, and many other wonderful destinations. 

Doris ran a daycare center for 20 years. After relocating to Southern California she became a travel agent/manager taking advantage of the many years of personal travel and travel certification. Robert passed away in 1986 and Doris remarried in 1991 to Harry Hogue. They enjoyed traveling, reading, the theatre and volunteering together until Harry’s passing in 2014. Doris traveled to over 83 countries in her lifetime, many of her favorites several times. 

Doris loved her family. Her three children were her pride and joy. She was a wonderful role model and an incredible mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was constantly learning and sharing. Her article clippings, cards and books was something anyone who knew her was excited to receive. She attended World Affairs lectures and classes at Long Beach City College up until a couple of years before her passing. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Leisure World and recently baptized again. She was an active member of the Assistance League of Long Beach, participating in the Cameo Program (high school and young adult mentoring). She participated in the Democratic Club at Leisure World, several book clubs and attended Book fairs every year. 

She leaves to honor and cherish her memories, 2 sisters (Peggy Hunt and Jeanette Dulin); 3 children (Darlene Williams, Roberta Kelley and Michael Coles (wife-Shannon); granddaughters -Chelsea Gamulo (husband-Nicholas) and Suleima Mednick Coles); grandsons - Robert Williams, Jonathon Willliams (wife-Elizabeth), Noah Coles; 6 great grandchildren – Ethan Gamulo, Isabella Gamulo, Nova Gamulo, Shawn Williams, Skye Williams, and Zion Williams, Cousin (Wanda Smith) and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, other loving family, church family and dear friends.