Doris Juniel

Doris Brown was born on October 2, 1930, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to her parents, Marion Brown and Bessie Bailey Brown. She was the youngest of four children with older brothers Leon, and Marion, and sister Margaret. When she was 8 years old, Doris suffered the devastating loss of her mother and felt this loss throughout her life. Fortunately, she was surrounded with the love of her father, known as "Daddy Brown" to his grandchildren, her brother Marion also known as "Plute", and her very special sister, Margaret. After Daddy Brown moved his brood to Denver his sister, Aunt Marie and her husband Uncle Roy provided additional love and family support. Another special person in Doris's early life was her step-mother, Sally. Yes of course, she was known as "Mother Brown" to her grandchildren. Doris received her education in the Denver Public School including Manual High School. She was always proud to say she was a Thunderbolt. Her whirlwind loving relationship with Royce Allen Juniel began in 1947. Doris often talked about Royce's unique way of proposing, simply stating, "We're getting married on the 5th". They were both too young to make such a major decision without permission from their parents but as Royce originally stated, they were united in holy matrimony January 5, 1948, a union that lasted a life time. To this union, five children were born, Deborah Marie, Roderick Allen, Christopher, and twins, Terry and Gary. Doris was a very proud mother and always referred to her 5 as "My Children" even when they were in their sixties. Royce was the bread winner and Doris the money manager for this magnificent seven. As a young wife and mother, Doris learned to make the best of what she had. She often told the story about living in the projects and during lean times coming together with other young families to create a meal. "I have some flour" someone would say. "I have sugar and a little butter," someone else would say. It wasn't long before they were cooking a meal and creating lifelong friendships. Her "Children" remember their mom actively participating in school activities including the PTA. She transported them as well as their friends to and from school and other activities. There was an occasion when there were so many children in the 1958 Dodge station-wagon that Terry and Gary were left at the wrong drop off point. She soon realized there were not enough of her "Children" in the car and returned to get the twins. Doris and Royce moved to 2150 High Street in the late 50's. Again she created a lifelong friendship with Lula Mallard, known to everyone in the neighborhood as "Miss Lula". Not only was she a sage consultant for Doris but also a reliable babysitter in times of need. If Miss Lula wasn't available, her daughters Betty (Betty Slaughter) and Julie (Julia Gayles) were reliable substitutes. There were many times Miss Lula would tell Doris's children that they were "Dustbugs", which meant you know what you did was wrong. Throwing rocks, dirty words, and other childhood missteps were considered Dustbugging. Doris was a phenomenal cook, always ready to feed anyone that walked through her door. She made homemade dinner rolls, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake, apple crisp and a very special lemon filled cake. Royce always went to work with a breakfast sandwich and lunch. He would return home to a hot meal before often going to a second job. Doris enjoyed life and spending time with others. In her free time, she loved traveling to Hawaii, the Bahamas, and Las Vegas. She missed traveling with her closest friends, Lovie Boggess and Gertrude McCovey after their passing. Both were true and trusted friends. She shared a special closeness with her sister Margaret. Doris always called Margaret "Sista" which meant love, admiration, and respect for her sibling. Not a day would go by that Doris and "Sista" would not talk to one another. It was not unusual for one of Doris's children to walk into a room and find their mother laughing while talking to their aunt on the telephone. Her children learned a lot about what family means from the love they saw between their mother and aunt. Doris's love for her immediate family was also extended to her nieces, nephews, in-laws, and others. Doris would proudly tell the story about moving to 3255 Jasmine Street. Royce promised to buy her a house if she recovered from a health crisis in the early sixties? She was ill for so long that they let all of her children come to see her in the hospital. This was at a time when hospitals were very strict about who could visit, had limited visiting hours with very few visitors in the room at the same time. When Doris recovered Jasmine Street became the family home. Doris prided herself in maintaining an immaculate home and stunning yard. As a matter of fact, if you go into her home today, it's like stepping back into 1970. Pink appliances, plastic covered furniture, television/stereo combination, 45 and 78 rpm records, and a shuffle board game on the basement floor help to complete the journey back in time. She was so proud of her home, and it showed. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Doris was a member of New Hope Baptist Church. She joined the church under the leadership of the late Pastor Dones. She truly believed in the power of prayer and the fellowship shared with her church family. She served her church and the Lord as a member of the Booster Club, visiting the sick and shut in, and keeping Him at the center of her life. She has been a faithful member for over fifty years. Doris loved to dress. She was often dressed from head to toe in a well-tailored suit with matching shoes and purse. During the winter months she would wear a full length mink coat with a matching mink hat topping her gorgeous white hair. When Doris and Sista were both in their finest, they were a treat to perceive, they could never be overlooked. She is blessed with sixteen grandchildren, Kimberly, Kevin, Katrena, Leslie, Dana, Christopher (deceased), Ricole, Geoffrey, Troy, Leila, Terry Jr., LaTouya, Tyneese, Taneda, Terrell and Taylor who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They lovingly called her "Grandmommy" and fondly remember all the happy and memorable moments they shared together. Royce preceded her in death in 1994 after 49 years of marriage. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Bessie Brown; her grandson, Christopher Royce; her brothers, Leon, Marion; her sister, Margaret; and her daughter-in-law, Patricia. Doris Juniel departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on Sunday, November 13, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include 1 daughter, Deborah M. (Rickey) Campbell 4 sons, Roderick A. (Patricia) Juniel, Christopher (Shelia) Juniel, Terry (Dora) Juniel and Gary Juniel (Patricia – deceased); all of Denver; 15 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 11/21/2016 at 4:00 PM - New Hope Baptist Church - 3701 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO
Service: 11/22/2016 at 10:00 AM - New Hope Baptist Church - 3701 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 11/22/2016 at 1:30 PM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO