BELLE RIVE – Doris Virginia “Ginger” (Atchison) Mallory, 91, of Belle Rive, IL, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at her home in Belle Rive. Doris was born September 28, 1933, on 9th Street in Belle Rive at her Grandma and Grandpa Smith’s house, to her parents, Nacie and Wilma Atchison. She married Dorris “Bub” Mallory on February 26, 1954, at the Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church by Bro. Dorris (who was the Pastor of the Church at that time). Dorris “Bub” Mallory preceded her in death on October 30, 2007.
Doris accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was a faithful member of Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church, serving as custodian for several years and coordinator (along with her husband, Bub) for many American Red Cross blood drives held at the church.
She was a graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High School. Her first job at the age of 15 was working at Cole’s Grocery Store on the corner of 9th and Main in Belle Rive. After graduating high school, she began working for Commercial Credit. In 1967, the Village President, Mr. Ellis, asked her if she would be interested in working for the village of Belle Rive Gas Company, and she was hired. During her tenure working for the Village, the Belle Rive Water System and Belle Rive Sewer System were built, serving nearly 900 customers in our area. She retired at the age of 90 (after 56 years of employment) and also served as Village Clerk for 50 years, which was an elected position. She enjoyed her work, meeting many customers, co-workers, and friends while serving the Belle Rive Community.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Lawanda Faith (Anthony “Tony”) Huggins of Belle Rive; granddaughter, Malora Faith Huggins of Evansville, IN; nieces-in-law: Lena Blackburn of Hollister, CA, Ginny (Bob) Mahrer of Santa Cruz, CA, Joan (Mark) Alder of Colorado Springs, CO, and Twila Gay Wolfe; nephews-in-law: Jeff (Nancy) Mallory of Sacramento, CA, and Gary Showalter Sr.; special friends: Rod (Debbie) Pengelley of The Villages, FL, and Steve Gustafson of Valley Park, MO; along with many church and village friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dorris “Bub” Mallory; her parents, Nacie and Wilma Atchison; sister, Norma Alene Tennyson; brother-in-law, Ronald Tennyson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Charlie and Fumiko Mallory, Robert and Stella Mallory, and Nell Gay Butler; nephews-in-law: Terry Gay, Ralph Mallory, and Bill Gay; and special friend, Faye “Grams” Bourland.
Funeral services for Doris Virginia “Ginger” (Atchison) Mallory will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church in Belle Rive, IL, with Rev. Richard McCormick officiating. Evening visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14, at the church. Interment will follow the funeral service on Tuesday at the Flint Belle Rive Cemetery in Belle Rive.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com.
