Doris V. Palmer-Johnston was born on January 13, 1932 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania to the late Wesley Palmer, Squire Barbee and Ella (Burgess) Palmer-Barbee. She was the mother of the late Jonell "Pee-wee" Baldwin and she was preceded in death by (3) brothers Wesley, Delvert and Randall Palmer.

Doris attended Aliquippa High School and later received her G.E.D from the Community College of Beaver County in 1990. With a phenomenal work ethic, she started her working career at Queen City Cleaners as a Presser and later went to work in the Tin Dept. at J & L Steel Mill, The Greater Pittsburgh Airport as a TSA Agent and retired as a Foster Grandparent for The Beaver County Head Start Program.

With a passion for culture, the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement, Doris was a world traveler, activist, avid reader and poet. Traveling around Africa, North-South and Central America, the Caribbean and Canada she was well versed in Cultured Arts with a deep love for the Black Arts channeling some of the most influential leaders of our time. Malcom X, Nelson Mandela, August Wilson, Langston Hughes, Spike Lee and Barak Obama.

Doris was more than a Black Renaissance woman, she was full of detail and generosity! With the most fascinating mental process she carried an Artistic Eye and knack for design with such detail, class and style. She was an advocate for continued education, empowering students to get to and through college by contributing annual donations to The United Negro College Fund and a honored recipient of The Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Referred to as an "Unspoken Poet", Doris was  truly a woman who carried and shared much knowledge. Her attention to detail, hand written notes, article clips, books and personal relationships kept her knowledge flowing through the years of revolutionary history.

Accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she was affiliated with Greater Emmanuel A.M.E. Zion Church where she attended alongside her family.

She leaves to cherish her memories (2) brothers; Squire Barbee Jr. of Beaver Falls, PA and Kenneth Barbee (Lutithia) of Montgomery, AL, (2) sisters; Elverna Barbee-Cuffie and Diane Barbee of Aliquippa, PA; (2) devoted nephews Brian Barbee and Kwai Cuffie. She also leaves to mourn in her passing a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and (2) lifelong friends; Mattie Christian and Minnie Robertson (deceased).