Doris Deane Menser Renshaw, age 97, went peacefully to glory at 9:30 a.m. on May 21, 2026 surrounded by love at Anna Mae Owen Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2026 at the Crofton Christian Church with Rev. Paul G. Moore and Barney Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgetop Cemetery in Crofton. Visitation will be on Monday from 12:00 p.m. until the funeral hour at the church. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
She was born on September 13, 1928 the daughter of the late Henry and Edith White Menser in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, J.B. Renshaw, her son-in-law Henry Bates Payne, Jr. and her siblings, Donna Matheny, Kaye Menser, Mary Rose Menser, Martha Lane Menser and Emanuel Menser.
She attended Crofton School, received an Associate Degree from Hopkinsville Community College and attended Austin Peay State University. She was an avid writer, poet, songwriter and author. Her works included, but were not limited to, Of Blood and Clay, On Assignment, Canaan East, A Day to Remember, Pennyrile Patchwork, and A History of the Crofton Christian Church. She worked as a seamstress, a cafeteria worker, postal worker, and receptionist.
She was known for her love of her family, love for service and church work, and for being a Bible scholar. She was a prayer warrior, a kind shoulder, a mentor and a friend. She was a Sunday School teacher, organist, pianist, choir member, Cub Scout Den Mother, quilter, historian and genealogist. She was a lifelong member of the Crofton Christian Church and attended First Christian Church of Murray, Kentucky. She was a member of the former Kentucky Writer’s Guild, was a member of the Crofton Women’s Fellowship, served as a deaconess and elder, and served on various committees at the church. She enjoyed working with children in song and musical productions and Vacation Bible School.
Survivors include her children: Gayle Renshaw (Bobby) Rogers, Johnny Renshaw and Brenda Renshaw Payne; her sister, Suzanne Barnett; was grandmother to seven grandchildren, Jeff Rogers, Angie Rogers (Tabb) Spoonamore, Ben (Shelley) Payne, Brooke (Tim) Custis, Barry (Jettie) Payne, Chip (Danni) Renshaw and Josh (Chris) Renshaw; Fifteen great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Contributions may take the form of donations to the Crofton Christian Church in her honor.