Doris June Vardell, 92, of Amarillo, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The family will receive friends for a visitation and small memorial service from 2-4:30pm on Monday, August 31, 2026, at LaGrone Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Coulter Road chapel.

Doris was born on October 6, 1933, in Altus, Oklahoma, to Hubert Adams and Anna Mae Beckner. She graduated from Southside High School in 1953 and went on to devote much of her life to education, both as a lifelong learner and a beloved teacher.

Doris earned her Bachelor of Science degree from West Texas A&M University in 1973, followed by a Master of Education degree from WT in 1983. She continued her education through postgraduate studies at the University of Hawaii, which she completed in 1989. Her passion for teaching led her to Amarillo Independent School District, where she dedicated more than two decades of her life to educating and encouraging young people from 1977 until her retirement in 1999.

Throughout her teaching career, Doris was recognized for her dedication and excellence. She was nominated as Campus Teacher of the Year in 1989 and was honored in Austin, Texas, with an award for outstanding campus TAAS achievement. She was also a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Kappa Delta Pi.

Doris’s faith was an important part of her life, and she devoted countless hours to serving through the Assembly of God church ministry. She served as a youth camp counselor, Bible school music director, Sunday school teacher, and Sunday School Departmental Superintendent. She also shared her talents through various musical programs and community activities. Her love for serving others extended beyond her local community, and in the summer of 2001, she participated in mission work in Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Music was another great love of Doris’s life. She had a beautiful passion for singing and enjoyed sharing her gift with others. She sang both country and gospel music at Oklahoma City Gospel Night and at The Big Texan, bringing joy to those fortunate enough to hear her.

Doris leaves behind a legacy of faith, education, service, music, and love. Through the lives she touched as a teacher, mentor, church servant, and friend, her influence will continue to live on in the hearts of many.

Doris married Ted Vardell on August 2, 1997, and together they spent 29 years of marriage together.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ted Vardell, of Amarillo; her children, Gary Allen of San Antonio, Michael Allen and his wife, Karen, of Amarillo, Larry Allen and wife, Jill, of Canyon, Texas; Ted’s children, Steven Vardell, of Amarillo, Joel Vardell, of Amarillo and Julie Loughmiller and husband, Rob, of Houston; and grandchildren, Zury Loughmiller, Elias Loughmiller, Drayson Loughmiller, Brandon Fleming, Thunder Bay Allen, Paul Allen, Renee Howard, Lindsey Chesser and Cassey Lemon; Doris is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren.