Doris Virginia Alexis

Doris Virginia Alexis, a beloved mother, grandmother, and esteemed
former Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, passed
away on June 06, 2024, at the age of 102.

Doris was born on July 10, 1921, in New York, NY, to Harry and
Josephine Wilson. She grew up with three brothers, Walter, Chester, and
Joseph, in a Brooklyn brownstone. It was there the family weathered the
Great Depression; she often spoke of walking to save train fare and her
father supporting the neighborhood with fish and crab catches. Lessons
of resilience and community service would be foundational aspects for her.

Learning from her parents’ enterprising spirit, Doris would become a
culinary artiste in their catering business, combining creativity and
technical skill. She also became a prolific, in-demand seamstress. Both
skills would serve her throughout her life.
She was a talented linguist learning Latin and Greek, and mastering
German in her studies. Then, during World War II, she supported the
war effort at the Brooklyn Naval Yard optics laboratory, where she
optimized lens production processes, increasing efficiency seven hundred
percent.

She would move to California for family in the early 1950s, settling in
Los Angeles. In 1977, her appointment by Governor Jerry Brown to
Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles made her the
first African-American to hold the position. It was an incredible feat for a
woman who worked her way through the ranks, starting as a window
clerk in the Hollywood office. For the time, the agency would be
comparable to a Fortune 500 company like Black and Decker. Her deep,
ground-up knowledge of the agency drove her leadership. She
spearheaded multiple modernization initiatives, improving efficiency and
service quality. She also founded the first-of-kind onsite children’s
daycare center in a California state agency.

Her commitment to public service was extensive. She served as a member
of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators; Chairman of the Board for Commonwealth Equity
Trust; Executive Vice-President of the National Traffic Safety Institute;
President of the Sacramento YWCA; and board member for the
Sacramento region Girl Scouts of America. Additionally, Doris dedicated time to
UNICEF and Parkside Community Church in Sacramento’s South Land Park.
In retirement Doris travelled extensively, including ocean cruises, and visits to
Italy, Spain, Russia, Canada, Germany, Panama, Mexico, and the former
Yugoslavia. On a trip to China, she celebrated her 85th birthday on the 
GreatWall. 

In her final years, she shared a home in Sacramento with her son Neal, 
daughter-in-law Pat, and granddaughter Brisha. Late in life, she developed the kindest
form of memory loss, and was blessed with two loving caregivers, Brejonna and
Jokaveti. 

Doris passed away peacefully at home, lovingly supported by family. She is
survived by Neal, Pat, and Brisha, along with granddaughter Doris (Kendall),
great-granddaughter Keris, and nieces in California, Maryland and Delaware.
Doris was preceded in death by her daughter Priscilla Davis. 

Doris V. Alexis’ century-long journey was filled with accomplishment, love and
service. Her remarkable life and contributions to family and community will
forever be cherished. Her legacy will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. 

Alzheimer’s disproportionately impacts women and communities of color.
The family has designated the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org for
donations in Doris’ memory.