Doris Evelyn Barham Luther

Published 12:07 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2025

– Dec 25, 1933 – Nov 23, 2024

Doris grew up in Louisiana as the daughter of a Methodist minister and teacher.  Her parents, Carl and Maria Barham, instilled in her and her brothers the importance of serving and teaching others. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA with a BA in Organ Performance and Union Theological Seminary in New York City with a Master of Sacred Music degree. 

As a lifelong teacher and servant leader, Doris served in various positions in both college and church settings.  She started her career as a college lecturer and organ instructor at Averett College and church organist at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in Danville, VA, where she met her husband. After a move to Spartanburg, SC, she taught classes at Converse College and Spartanburg Methodist College, directing the SMC Glee Club from 1969 to 1981. The group traveled on numerous concert tours to connect the college to local UMC churches. She considered this one of her most important professional experiences and continued to advocate for SMC students and staff in her retirement. 

Doris also served as choir director and organist in churches in Huntsville, AL, and Norfolk, VA until her retirement in 2009. Throughout her career, she was active in the American Guild of Organists, holding various leadership positions and giving Director recitals.

Upon retirement, she and her husband, Bill Luther, returned to Spartanburg, SC, where she again became an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. After Bill’s death, she spent the last eight years of her life in senior resident communities where she played the piano daily, directed fellow residents and staff in singing hymns, and played other popular music for their enjoyment.

A sincere thank you to the staff members at White Oak Estates in Spartanburg, SC and Magnolia Trails at Laurelwoods & Laurelhurst in Columbus, NC for making her a part of their families, and to the staff at White Oak Manor in Tryon, NC and Hospice of Carolina Foothills for making her last days comfortable and peaceful.

Married to Bill (William H) Luther (1926-2016) for 58 years, they had three children, Deb Luther Teagan (Shawn) of Monument, CO, BJ Luther (Dee Dee Mitchell) of Columbus, NC, and Ola Marie Snow (Chuck) of Plain City, OH, four grandchildren (Nicole, William, Drew, & Zachary) and 2 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brothers, W Carl Barham, Jr and John B Barham. 

Her life will be celebrated on January 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at St Paul UMC in Spartanburg, with Rev Megan Gray and Rev Deb Teagan presiding. The family will receive visitors before the service, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials and gifts can be made to the Doris B. Luther Endowed Scholarship Fund at Spartanburg Methodist College (1000 Powell Mill Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29301, Attn: Charles Dalton) or St Paul UMC (1320 Fernwood-Glendale Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29307).

Submitted by Dee Dee Mitchell