Doris Rouse

Doris Rouse, 77, was the fourth daughter born to the Late Howard & Essie West, on October 14, 1942, at Harlem Hospital in NYC. Doris was raised in Harlem and relocated to Throggs Neck in the Bronx, then in her later years moved to Jackson, New Jersey in 2011.

Doris landed her first job at John’s Bargain Store, and then studied to become a nurse’s aide. She began her long-time career in the pediatrics unit of Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC.

In 1963, Doris married the Late Robert Rouse Sr., from their union she had her “little boys”, Robert Jr. and Ronald. She referred to these men as her little boys, no matter how grown they’ve become. Doris retired from her passion of taking care of babies in 1991, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Harlem, and truly loved praising the Lord, reading her bible, daily prayers, and listening to sermons. Everyone knew to not ever call or visit during her daily noon prayer service. She dedicated that as her personal time with her “Father God”. Doris also truly loved her family. She would especially enjoy those private conversations with her grands, nieces, and nephews to hear all about their “Harry’s & Sarah’s”, and to shock them with some racy comments or questions. Her grandchildren called her sassy, and thought she was quite hysterical. Doris would be found home watching her favorite shows, and cheering for her NY sports teams. She was generally quiet, and would sit with her blanket and peppermints, or a tooth pick taking in all of the excitement around her. Although, she didn’t talk much, she was more of a listener, yet quite feisty. She was stern and would remind you of that, when she would quote one of her favorite saying; “I can show you better, than I can tell you!” She also had another saying as soon as the food came out, “I’m starving!” If there was such an award for the slowest eater, Doris would have a wall full of trophies. No one was ever surprised to see her still working on the same plate, when they would sit again, with their seconds and thirds.Most of all, Doris will be remembered for her sweet, kind, generous and loving spirit. As soon as someone would meet her, they quickly became her girlfriend or family.

With sadness, Doris departed us on November 20, 2019, to take her secured room in our Father’s Mansion. We find comfort in knowing that she is in the house of the Lord, because she did everything right. She is now rejoicing with her parents, husband and sisters; Joan Vanderhorst, Veronica West, Yvonne Frazier, and many others dear to her.

Doris leaves to mourn; her siblings; Barbara Headley (Rudolph), Catherine Conyers, Howard West Jr., Denise Flanagan (Terrielle), (O’neil Vanderhorst), children; Robert Jr., (Yvonne), and Ronald, Grandchildren, Laa’iqa (Reginald), Taila, Bria, Robert Jordan, Ashley, Alyssa, Great-Grandchildren, Lamiya, Avery, Brandon, Aaliyah and Jaelyn, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, the Ferran family, and friends.

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