Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Tuesday

December 18, 2012

Doris Marguerite Briggs

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SUTTONS BAY — Doris Marguerite Briggs, 79, of Suttons Bay, was welcomed to the loving care of our Lord on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at Tendercare of Leelanau.

Doris was born on March 30, 1933 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Everett and Margaret (Anderson) Lower. On Aug. 18, 1956 at the Congregational Church in Grand Rapids she married Charles F. Briggs who survives. They met while undergraduates at Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo.

Doris was a devoted Christian and Army wife. She was an Army wife for three decades, an Army mother for three decades and an Army grandmother. She always stood with her hand over her heart when the colors passed or anthem was played. Her courage and faith were strong through her two year battle with cancer.

Chuck and Doris moved 26 times during their career. They had tours at Ft. Harrison, Ind., Ft. Devens, Mass., Ft. Benning, Ga.; multiple tours in the Pentagon, Washington D.C. at Ft. Monroe, Va. and Ft. McPherson, Ga. as well as Hawaii and Germany. She moved the family to Grand Rapids twice where she worked as a teacher while Chuck was deployed to Vietnam.

In Hawaii Doris developed a love of golf. They were 25 year members of Rotonda Golf and Country Club in Florida and members of Bahles Farm Club in Leelanau County since it opened.

She deeply believed in the importance of education and instilled that belief in her family. Her husband, sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter each have at least one master's degree.

Doris was active in Officer's Wives Clubs where ever they were assigned and served as President of The Adjutant General's Officer's Wives Club in Washington, D.C.

A mother who deeply loved her children, she served as mother and father when Chuck was deployed. She stayed busy with scouting, sports and academics. Living in northern Va. she would attend a high school game and then travel to the University of North Carolina to cheer for her oldest son on Saturday.

Doris is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Brig. Gen. Charles F. Briggs (U.S. Army retired); two sons, Col. Steven J. (Brenda) Briggs, (U.S. Army retired), Charles E. Briggs; two grandchildren, Steven Forrest Briggs and Megan (Capt. Andrew) Cahan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19 at Keswick United Methodist Church of Suttons Bay with visitation one hour prior. Private family burial will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Mich. The Rev. Patricia Haas will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to Keswick United Methodist Church, 3376 S. Center Highway, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682.

Please share thoughts and memories with Doris' family on their online guestbook at www.record-eagle.com/obituaries/

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

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