Doris (Sanders) Blades Gwaltney, 88, of Carmi, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026. She was born on November 12, 1937, in Franklin County, Illinois, the daughter of Lawrence and Rose (Gant) Sanders. Doris married Robert Blades in 1953, and he preceded her in death in 1992. She later married Norman Gwaltney in 1994, and he preceded her in death in 2009.
Doris enjoyed caring for others as shown by working as a nursing assistant and caregiver for many years. She attended First Christian Church in Carmi where she worshipped Jesus and spent time learning about him together with her small group. Doris enjoyed shopping and traveling to the ocean. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and babysitting her grandchildren.
Doris is survived by her daughters, Janet Engelgau of Vancouver, WA. and Jane (Travis) Allen of Norris City, IL; her stepchildren, Mark (Kim) Gwaltney of Carmi, IL. and Michael (Cam) Gwaltney of FL; grandchildren, Christina (Matt) Roddy, Chris Hargrave and Erica (David) Dowell; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Adrienne, Alexa, Hunter, Ryan, Hayden, Jaxon, Jenelle, Carson, Tommy and Riley; a brother, Norman Sanders; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Cocoa.
In addition to her first husband, Robert Blades, Doris was preceded in death by her second husband, Norman Gwaltney; her parents; and siblings, Lois Mast and David Sanders.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in the chapel of Roberts and Cook Funeral Service,101 Edgewood Lane, Carmi, Illinois with Greg Grant officiating. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. at Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort, Illinois. Family and friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Doris’ memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted by Roberts and Cook Funeral Service who has been entrusted with arrangements.
