Doris Slusher Kitts

Doris Slusher Kitts of Christiansburg, Virginia, was born on March 11, 1937, and passed away on February 21, 2025. A woman of boundless love and generosity, Doris lived a life dedicated to faith, family, and the joy of sharing.

If love had a scent, for us, it would be donuts. From managing the deli and bakery at Wade's Supermarket for over three decades to her infamous Kitts' Kitchen catering business, the aroma of cakes and donuts still feels like a warm hug to her family. At the heart of it all was Doris Kitts. She didn't just cook- she created experiences, pouring love into everything she made. Beyond her home and after her food service career, she spent nearly a decade caring for school-age children at The Adventure Club Falling Branch, where her warmth and fun shined in a good game of cards - she was the Go-Fish Queen at work and the Rummy Queen at home! Doris taught us that hospitality and generosity were not just actions but a way of life. She taught that kindness is beauty, that generosity is measured in love, and everything is better when made with heart. She taught us that prayers whispered over a kitchen sink could move mountains and shape generations. She loved without judgment, she gave of her time freely and left an unforgettable mark on all who knew her.

Doris carried forward a legacy of faith passed down from her mother and father, Mary Bell and Velmer Slusher, and continued through her children, Donna Thornton-Roberts (Eddie) and Jody Kitts (Tracy). Doris was the most supportive and caring grandmother to Shelley (Michael) and Mary-Ann (Phillip), Bethany, and Jessica. She adored her great-grandchildren, Zachary, Alex, Abbey, Lucas Butler, Parke and Jay Bowen, Jae and Sophia Hearndon. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Joseph B Kitts, Sr., and siblings, Francis Keith, Lucille Bolding, and Kenneth Slusher. She leaves behind her siblings, Pauline Caldwell, Earnestine Spencer, Carl David Slusher, and James Slusher.

A private family gathering will be held in her honor. In remembrance of Doris, take a moment to enjoy a donut or a slice of pound cake - just as she would have wanted.