Local life rooted in faith, family and service
Charlene Doke, a lifelong Arkansan who raised a family and supported her husband’s gospel singing while remaining an active member of local Baptist churches, has died. Born Aug. 13, 1934, in the Strain Community, she spent her childhood on a farm in Black Oak before building a life centered on faith and family in and around Fayetteville.
Doke graduated from Elkins High School and later attended Fayetteville Business College. She worked as a secretary for Bronson Abstract Company for several years and was a devoted member of Black Oak Baptist Church. For more than six decades she also faithfully attended Buckner Baptist Church in Fayetteville.
Family and community connections
Her marriage to Ted Doke lasted 65 years. Family was the cornerstone of her life: she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who placed a premium on caring for others. The source material lists two sons as survivors: Greg Doke of Fayetteville and Brett Doke of McKinney.
- Born: Aug. 13, 1934, Strain Community, Ark.
- Early life: Raised on a farm in Black Oak, Ark.
- Education: Elkins High School; Fayetteville Business College.
- Employment: Secretary at Bronson Abstract Company.
- Church affiliations: Black Oak Baptist Church; Buckner Baptist Church (Fayetteville) for more than 60 years.
Personal qualities and passions
Those who knew Doke remembered her for a quiet strength, steady optimism and generosity. She found joy in everyday pursuits: sewing, cooking for family and friends, tending houseplants, and listening to gospel music. She supported her husband during his 16 years singing with the Gospel Echoes Quartet and often expressed her faith through acts of service and hospitality.
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Church membership | Black Oak Baptist; Buckner Baptist (Fayetteville) |
| Career | Secretary, Bronson Abstract Company |
| Family | Husband Ted; sons Greg and Brett; grandchildren and great-grandchildren |
Legacy
Doke was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Hazel Boaz. Her survivors and the communities where she worshipped will remember her for the practical care she offered loved ones and neighbors, for her steady presence in church life, and for the simple pleasures she cultivated at home. The legacy described in source material emphasizes faith, devotion to family and a lifetime of modest, dependable service.
Practical information about services or memorial arrangements was not included in the available material.
