Ms. Doris Viviene Rachou died Sunday, March 23, 2014 under the care of Hospice Savannah. Daughter of the late Mrs. Lily Loncon Rachou and Mr. Sydney Rachou, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, Josie and J.B. Skinner and their baby daughter.

Her family came to Port Wentworth in 1916-17, along with other families from Louisiana to build Savannah Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth. She was born in the village and lived on or near the property all her life. A loyal, steadfast, member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, in her quiet, unassuming way, she kept the virtues of faith, hope and charity. When she saw a need, she responded, many times anonymously. Her family and circle of friends mourn her death but celebrate her life.

Following in her father's footsteps, she worked at Savannah Sugar Refinery for more than 40 years, always in the Purchasing Department. A busy and demanding office, she was responsible for compiling and recording the operating costs for each previous 24-hour period involving production, maintenance, and repair items used. A very labor-intensive task, the report was sent by messenger each day to City Office for management review. In the early 1980's, she was a key member of the team who worked with computer programmers to define and develop a fully automated computer purchasing system. The system linked Purchasing, Receiving and Accounting and eliminated duplicate data-entry functions.

Always a vital, active person, Dot took an early retirement in 1987 to have more time to travel. Some of her favorite things; the Mass said in Latin, the movies, especially vintage black and white, music from the 40's big-band era, white blouses, summers in Bluffton, and discovering foreign lands.  She was a gifted photographer, capturing the scenery from her travels in the U.S., Hawaii, Canada, and most countries in Europe. Some of her photos are of gallery quality.

An avid reader, she enjoyed short stories, historical sagas, mystery, and intrigue—it was not unusual for her to have two or three books going at the same time. She had a wonderful ability to retain and recall the details of what she read. Also a dance fan, until very recently, she danced weekly with the Seniors Group at Generation One.

She leaves to treasure her memory, her nephews, Jody and Phil Skinner, her Loncon and Rachou cousins, her Church family, and her many friends.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the funeral home with Rosary following at 7 p.m.

Funeral: 11 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Port Wentworth with burial to follow at the Catholic Cemetery located at 1720 Wheaton Street in Savannah.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes

West Chatham Chapel

901 W. Hwy 80

Pooler, GA 31322

912-748-2444