Doris Mae Jurgens Yandell

Doris Mae Jurgens Yandell, age 99, died Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at St. Catherine’s Village.  A private, family service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Canton. A public graveside service will be held Friday, September 24, 2021, at 11 AM in the Canton City Cemetery.  Everyone attending the graveside service will be asked to follow Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing a mask.

 The fourth child of August and Frieda Jurgens, Doris was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved with her family to Ridgeland, MS, at an early age.  After graduating first in her class from Madison-Ridgeland High School, she attended Draughn’s Business School in Jackson and then moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked in the secretarial pool for the Federal Bureau of Investigation during World War II.  In 1945, Doris wed her childhood sweetheart, D.R. (Bob) Yandell, and they established their home in Canton. Doris was a faithful and active member in the First Presbyterian Church in Canton, where she served many years as secretary to the Presbyterian Women of the Church, taught Bible School, and supported the missions of the church.  She held various offices in the Green Thumbs Garden Club, was a founding member of Canton Academy, and always supported her children in every school activity.  Most important to her, Doris was a devoted wife and loving mother to her family. 

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years; by parents Mr. and Mrs. August Jurgens of Ridgeland; by her brothers, George Jurgens of Jackson and Robert Jurgens of Ridgeland; and by her sisters, Mary Ellen Jurgens Winstead, and Katherine Jurgens, both of Ridgeland.  She is survived by four daughters:  Kathy (Vic) Laurent of Madison, Phyllis Mashburn of Natchez, Beverly Milam, and Melinda Perry, both of Madison, and also six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  The family thanks all of the administration, nurses, and caregivers at the Hughes Center at St. Catherine’s Village for their invaluable assistance over the past several years.  They would also like to thank Karl Gilmore, RN with Compassus Hospice for his special care, and her ever dedicated, compassionate Covenant Caregivers, Kay, Stephanie, Kim, Tiara, Angela, Barbara, and Gwen.  Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Women, 202 East Peace Street, Canton, MS 39046, or a charity of your choice.

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