Chebeague Island – Josephine Little Ellis Doughty (Jo), passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 1, 2015 after a long illness. She was born in Gainsville, Georgia on September 5, 1922, the daughter of Clarence and Erma Ellis. Josephine grew up in Gainsville and graduated from Gainsville High School. She attended Virginia Intermont College, graduating after two years. After completing college, she moved to Pasadena, California where she enjoyed a modeling career for six years.
She moved to Alabama and on a blind date, met Earle Doughty and subsequently married him in 1957. Earle was employed by the Loria Construction Company which took them many places, and while in Spain, their son Edmund was born in 1958.
Earle decided to move his family to his hometown of Chebeague Island (quite a change for a “Southern Belle”), where they opened Doughty’s Island Market together in 1961. Earle and Jo operated the store until 1982 when Jo retired, and their son Edmund along with his wife Julie began operating the family business. During the years that Jo worked at the store, she put in long hours in the summer months and always looked forward to going south for a month in the fall to see her family and friends in Highlands, North Carolina. She also enjoyed travelling north in the fall to the family camp (Camp Tiekilew) in Burlington, ME. She loved hunting, ice fishing, canoeing and just being with her family at the camp. Jo was talented. She played the organ and piano masterfully and loved having sing-alongs at the island home with friends and family. She loved reading, hard-cover romantic novels were among her favorites.
In her later years, Jo stayed at home enjoying visits from her best friend, Joan Robinson, who would keep her informed of all the island news and events. Being from the south, Josephine had a charming southern accent. After all the years she spent in Maine, she maintained that famous southern drawl that everyone adored.
She was a member of the PTA for many years, the Chebeague Island United Methodist Church and the Chebeague Island Grange #576. Josephine is survived by her son Edmund, daughter-in-law Julie, grandsons Joshua and Dylan and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Earle in 1995.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for the care they extended to Josephine. Also, a special thank you to Ginny Ballard, Nancy Hill, Polly Wentworth and all the others who helped Josephine pass peacefully at her home with dignity and respect. A burial is planned on Chebeague Island in the summer. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Chebeague Island United Methodist Church, PO Box 1, Chebeague Island, ME 04017.