Sara 'Gwen' Doss

Sara Gwendolyn “Gwen” (Shelley) Doss

Sara Gwendolyn Doss, 95, of Waco passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025. Gwen was born August 18, 1930, in Henry County Alabama to Robert Gordon Shelley and Vinnie Bell Miller Shelley.

A visitation will be held at Bellmead Funeral Home from 1:00pm to 3:00pm on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, December 1, 2025 at Bellmead Funeral Home with Seth Austin officiating.

Gwen married B.F. “Benny” Doss on August 2nd, 1946. Through their early married life, Benny and Gwen traveled the country performing with western swing bands in tent shows, circuses and old tyme medicine shows. They did music, magic, comedy and variety together. She always thought she was going to Hollywood, and after 4 children, she ended up in Bellmead, Texas. Her house was always the gathering spot for the kids’ friends, family holidays, and all of the afternoon coffees for the wives of Lisa Street.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 52 years B.F. “Benny” Doss and her 10 siblings, Willie Curtis Shelley, Robert Thomas Shelley, Malley Shelley, Grover Cleveland Shelley, Samford Harold Shelley, Carl Ray Shelley, Aaron Jeffrey Shelley, Franklin Delano Shelley, Mary Alice Mixon and Winnie Rose Capps, who was her absolute best friend.

Her surviving relatives include her four children, H.G “Butch” Doss and wife Shirley, Tara Suzette “Boots” Doss and wife Monica, Billy LaThey Doss and Bonita “Bunny” Doss Vaughter and husband Phil. Her 6 grandchildren, Benny Lee Doss, Billy Ray Doss, Jackie Doss, Billy Frank Ferguson, Mark Ferguson and Cree Doss. Her 7 Great-Grandchildren, Nathan Doss, Scotti Doss, Arika Burwell, Maci Doss, Hanna Doss, Samantha Ferguson and Ashley Ferguson. 6 Great-Great-Grandchildren, Kinsley, Wyatt, Creek, Leighton, Josie and Harper, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She always took pride in being a 5-generation family. Her children and grandchildren loved her immensely, so much so that her Great Granddaughter and Great-Great Granddaughter were named after her. Hanna Gwen Doss and Harper Gwen Doss. Her memory will live on forever.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to her hospice nurse Amber, RN and hospice aide Tasha. Amber and Tasha took such great care of Gwen and quickly became part of the family. Ladies, we appreciate you more than you will ever know.

Pallbearers will be: Benny Lee Doss, Billy Ray Doss, Billy Frank Ferguson, Mark Ferguson, Nathan Doss, Scotti Doss, Bubba Tate and Clay Holt. Honorary Pallbearers are: Jackie Capps, Jr. and Jeff Ward.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Gwen’s memory to: Baylor Scott & White Hospice-Waco 2911 Herring Ave. 310, Waco, Texas 76708 or Timber Crest Baptist Church 1625 Crow Dr. Waco, Texas 76705