Doris Mae Whitehurst

Doris Mae Whitehurst, born June 27, 1929, in Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025, in College Station, Texas, at the age of 96.

She was the cherished daughter of Anthony Jack and Emma Covacevich and was raised on Back Bay Biloxi, surrounded by family, tradition, and the coastal beauty she loved throughout early her life.

Doris married Donald Merle Harrel in Biloxi while he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base. Their marriage took them across the country due to his oil field career, and they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Dixie Marla Harrel and Kimberly Kay Harrel.

After their eventual divorce, Doris settled in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, near family. Faced with the challenge of raising two young daughters on her own, she entered the workforce for the first time—starting as a teller at Hancock Bank. Through perseverance, integrity, and a pioneering spirit, she rose to become Vice President and managed her own branch—a remarkable accomplishment in the male-dominated banking world of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

As her daughters pursued careers in Colorado, Doris’s life took a new turn when a longtime family friend, Ronald Whitehurst, reached out while visiting nearby New Orleans. That meeting kindled a connection that blossomed into love. They were married on September 14, 1984, in Midland, Texas, and spent many happy years together, moving across the country for Ron’s work before eventually settling in a retirement community in Georgetown, Texas.

Along with Ron came a son, David A. Whitehurst, whom Doris embraced and loved as her own. She played an important role in helping to raise him and remained a guiding presence in his life.

After Ron’s passing in 2014, Doris moved to College Station, Texas, to be closer to her daughters. She spent her final years surrounded by family, comfort, and care.

She is survived by her daughters, Dixie Harrel, Kimberly and husband, Dan Augsburger, David Whitehurst and his wife, Alejandra; and her beloved grandchildren, Chance Augsburger and Kaitlyn Whitehurst. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ronald T. Whitehurst.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hospice Brazos Valley, whose unwavering love and care brought Doris peace and dignity in her final days. A special thanks goes to Baylee, her devoted nurse, as well as the compassionate caregivers and staff at Parc at Traditions Memory Care, who supported Doris and her family with grace and kindness.

A private family service will be held in Biloxi, Mississippi, to honor her life, with a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, whose extraordinary care helped carry Doris through her final journey.

Doris will be remembered for her resilience, grace, fierce devotion to her family, and trailblazing strength as a woman ahead of her time. Her legacy lives on in the lives of all who knew and loved her.