Doris Jean Peterson Endsley

Doris Jean Peterson Endsley, age 94, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026. She was the seventh child and first daughter of Andrew and Oda Mae Peterson, and was preceded in death by her husband of twenty-four years, James W. Endsley, and her son, Karlton “Korky” Waters.

A devoted mother and proud matriarch, Doris Jean was the loving parent of seven children whose family now spans four generations. She found her greatest joy in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, celebrating their accomplishments and holding each of them close with deep affection and pride.

Doris Jean graduated from Crispus Attucks High School at sixteen and built a long and determined career. She worked for RCA, United American Insurance, the United States Postal Service, and Block’s Department Store before spending more than twenty years with Indiana Bell, where she formed lasting relationships and was later invited back as a consultant, traveling to Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. Retirement did not slow her; she began a second career with Indianapolis Public Schools and continued working until her seventies. Though she never drove, she remained fiercely independent, traveling by foot or Metro bus well into her late eighties.

She was the oldest member and beloved mother of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church for twenty years. Doris Jean will be remembered for her strong work ethic, her famous rum cakes, her beautiful hat collection, her love of crossword puzzles, chicken wings, and peppermints, and the warmth she shared with everyone around her.

She is survived by six children: Francis Caudle (Brenda) of Indianapolis, Karen Waters Huffman (William) of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Carolyn Waters Payton (James) of Indianapolis, Terri Waters Woodson (Michael) of Atlanta, Georgia, Irish “Jerry” Waters of Lafayette, Indiana, and Kara Endsley Vines (Houston) of Morrisville, North Carolina. She is also survived by three siblings, Geraldine Peterson Hillman (Roger), Charles Peterson, Sr., and Mary Peterson Stennis, all of Indianapolis, as well as twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.