Doris Fizer Whitely, 92, of Burlington, NC, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026, surrounded by her family. 

Doris was one of five siblings and was born in Bedford, VA, on December 6, 1933, to the late Glenn and Grace Fizer. She graduated from Bedford High School and Phillips Business College. That completed her formal education, but she never stopped learning new things through reading and travel. She retired from Altavista High School, working in the library where we’re sure she read every book on the shelves before she left. 

Doris and her husband Wesley married in 1955 and celebrated a remarkable 70 years of marriage before Wesley’s passing in January. Doris was most recently a member of Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke, VA, where she rocked countless babies during her many years of service in the nursery. 

Doris was the matriarch and rock of our family. She was a selfless wife, dedicated mother, proud grandmother and great grandmother, cherished sister, and loyal friend. She was witty and caring. She loved books, card games, flowers, and her vegetable garden. She most definitely did not like cell phones, internet, or wearing her hearing aids! She made the best pies, strawberry jelly, and applesauce. Nothing matched the joy she found in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She attended all their activities, gave them way too many desserts, and offered them priceless (and often hilarious) advice! 

In addition to her parents and husband, Doris was preceded in death by her beloved siblings Glenn Grayson Fizer (Junior) and Nancy Selden. Those left to cherish her memory are daughter, Karen Needham of Burlington and fiancé Tim Haley of Mayodan; granddaughter, Ashlyn Lisk and her husband Justin of Wake Forest, NC; two great grandsons, Beckett and Tatum Lisk; her son, Chris Whitely of Georgetown, SC and wife Beth; grandsons, Matthew Whitely and wife Kali of Winston-Salem, NC and Tanner Whitely of Cary, NC; two sisters, Louise Steinbruck and husband Chuck of Norfolk, VA, and Phillis Bennett of Forest, VA; brother-in-law Bob Selden; many nieces and nephews and their families, countless extended family members, her more recent Brookwood friends, and lifelong friends in Virginia.

The family especially wants to thank the staff and residents of Village at Brookwood. They warmly welcomed Doris and Wes into their new community as if they’d all been friends for years. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Fort Hill Memorial Park in Lynchburg, VA. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Lowe Funeral Home, Burlington, NC.

As a tribute to Doris, consider buying a book. After you’ve read it, donate it to your local library. She’d love that! If you would like to make a donation in Doris’ memory, consider contributing to Susan G. Komen Foundation (https://www.komen.org/).