Marcia Rae Doron

Marcia Rae Doron died peacefully, June 2, 2024, at Orangeburg Manor, in Modesto. Marci was born October 9, 1938, in Norfolk, Virginia, the second daughter of Randolph Lloyd and Anna Elnora Smith. The family moved to Lakewood, California when she was seven, where Lloyd built destroyers at the U.S. Naval Shipyard in Long Beach. In high school, she distinguished herself, singing in the choir. After graduation in 1958, she married Donald Lee King, and they had five children. The couple later divorced, and she went to work in the Records Department of the Santa Cruz County Hospital, a job she remembered fondly, all her life. In 1969, while living in Paramount, California, she met Ronald Doron, and they were married. The family moved to Santa Cruz, and to Oxnard, before settling in Turlock, where their daughter Deanna was born. During this time, Marci worked as a bookkeeper, and played piano at Berkeley Avenue Baptist Church. In 1982, she and Ron became two of the founding members of Turlock Community Fellowship, where she continued as their pianist, until the church disbanded in 2008. Marci began taking piano lessons at the age of four, and enjoyed playing for herself and for others. As an adult, she became the pianist at each church she attended. During the 1980’s, she and her sister Anna played a series of piano-organ concerts in area churches. Marci was also an avid player of video games. She owned one of the first Atari home games, then graduated to Nintendo, and then to Wii. She was preceded in death, by her husband Ron, in 1990. Marci then took a medical transcription course, earned her certificate in 1992, and was hired by Emanuel Medical Center, during her internship. She worked there, until she retired in 2012. During this time, she also lost her three sisters, Anna Butcher, Carroll Smith, and Sharon Smith. Marci is survived by her brother, Franklin L. Smith. By her children: Sami King-Wente, Terri Coleman, Randolph King, Mary Johnson, Michael Scott King, and Deanna Cronk-Martinez. And, by 12 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at Turlock Memorial Park at 10 a.m., on July 3, 2024, where she will join her husband in rest. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jessica’s House.

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Marcia Rae Doron

October 9, 1938 - June 2, 2024