Dorris Laing Uptain, 99, of Monticello, Florida, passed away on November 11, 2024, just three weeks
short of her 100th birthday.
Dorris was born on December 2, 1924, in Amsterdam, Georgia to William Mitchell Laing and Maggie Lou
Walsh. After graduating from Concord School, as valedictorian, Dorris met and married Fred T. Shofner.
Together they had three children and owned grocery stores in Mobile, Alabama. Dorris is fondly
remembered for her many years working at Stewart-Young Appliances in Quincy, and later as a
beautician after she attended Lively Vo-Tech Cosmetology School. Years later, she married Roy Uptain
and together they owned and operated Uptain’s Grocery in Gadsden County. After “Mrs. Dorris” retired,
she decided to go back to work, working at Massey Drugs in Quincy, where she is remembered for her
sweet smile and eagerness to help picking out the perfect gifts and putting together great gift baskets.
Dorris was a member of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church for many years where she was a Sunday
School teacher in the children’s department. In her later life, she moved to Monticello, Florida where she
was an active member of First Baptist Church in Sunday School and the senior adult fellowship. She was
also an active member of the Red Hat Society in Jefferson County and the American Legion Auxiliary in
Monticello.
Dorris was an avid gardener and could make anything grow, when no one else could. In her senior years,
she discovered a talent for sketching and painting. She also loved crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles,
sewing, reading, and crafting in general. She enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show,
among other classic tv shows. Most of all, she loved the Lord and made sure her family knew Jesus.
“Granma Dorris” loved her family and loved to host Sunday dinners and family reunions. She always had
treats and treasures whenever any of her grandchildren visited. She thought of each of her nieces and
nephews as her own. She was an inspiration to all that knew her and will be remembered for her loving
and gentle spirit.
Survivors include her children: Fred (Maggie) Shofner, Monticello, Fl; Chee Chee (John) Shofner Buie,
Gainesville, Ga. Her grandchildren: Todd (Sheila) Goodson, Jimmy (Jennifer) Rudd, April (Sid) Rudd
Murray, Angel (Scott) Shofner Jablonski, Kane (Karen) Rudd, Darbi (Brandon) Buie Brock, Mallory
(Keifer) Creel Stidam, Mack Buie. She leaves behind 19 great grandchildren and 8 great-great
grandchildren.
Dorris is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her daughter Faye Shofner Creel, her
granddaughter Brandi Laing Buie, her siblings & their spouses: William (Mildred) Laing, Ellen Laing Bell
(JD), Robert (Laverne) Laing, Irene Laing Brady (Henry), Louise Laing Uptain.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Vickers Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.
(2771-2817 Fairbanks Ferry Road, Havana Florida). The family will gather immediately after the service at
Big Muddy Farms (3724 Concord Road, Havana, Florida).
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Big Bend Hospice Foundation, 1723 Mahan
Center Blvd, Tallahassee, Fl. 32308.
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