Mrs. Doris Taylor Carnes Koester, (Mama Doris), 87, of Hartwell, GA went to be with the Lord, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at her home.

Born on September 25, 1923 in Elbert County, GA, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Nettie Taylor. She graduated from Rock Branch High School and was a homemaker. Mrs. Koester a member of Beulah Pentecostal Holiness Church and was attending Colbert Living Waters Church.

Left to cherish her memories are her children: Jimmy Carnes and his wife, Frances, of Elberton, Sherry Carnes Crosby and her husband, Larry, Walterboro, SC, Janice Carnes Loggins and her husband, Delano, of Colbert, and Donna Carnes Vickery and her husband, Terrel; one brother: Wallace Taylor of Fayetteville, GA; two sisters: Shirley Fulbright Martin and her husband, Harvey, of Clermont, FL, and Joyce T. Phillips and her husband, Bennie of Anderson; seventeen grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; and her beloved cat, Squeak.Mrs. Koester was preceded in death by her parents; her first and second husbands: James Carnes and W.T. Koester; one son: Frankie Carnes; infant daughter: Shelby Carnes; and one grandson: Mark Rice.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Nestor and Rev. Janice Loggins officiating. Burial will be in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday.The family is at the home.Floral arrangements are optional. Special memorials may be made to Colbert Living Waters Holiness Church, 215 S. Fifth Street, Colbert, GA 30628 or to Odyssey Hospice, 855 Gaines School Road, Suite G, Athens, GA 30605.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.