Doris Alma Overstreet Fallen, 80, is being remembered for her years of service to the community—influencing a generation of students and responding to calls from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office—and her zest for life.

Fallen died Dec. 28, shortly after her 80th birthday on Christmas Eve.

Her obituary cites a love of community service and teaching, working as a dispatcher for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and as a substitute teacher for Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS).

“Doris retired from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department after serving as a dispatcher for many years and also enjoyed substitute teaching in the Charlotte County school system,” the obituary cited.

“She was the wife of Dewey Paige Fallen,” the obituary cited. “In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Donald Fallen and wife Brenda, of Hampton, and David Fallen of Drakes Branch; sisters, Christine Compton of Lynchburg and Joyce Guthrie of Lynchburg; brothers, Morris Overstreet and wife Dorothy of Phenix, and Roger Overstreet and wife Anna of Midlothian.”

Fallen lived in Charlotte County her entire life, her son Donald said.

Donald remembers their home being the place where he and his friends would spend their time, and remembers his mother being present and interacting with them.

“She had the patience,” Donald said about her temperament with the kids. “Was just an amazing lady and loved kids. Our growing up time was just amazing for her to be there with us, and not have to start working at the sheriff’s department until we were grown. We were very fortunate to have her there.”

Donald, who holds events with the Special Olympics, said he is organizing a Polar Plunge in May and had started a fundraiser for the event in his mother’s honor.

“This year’s really special because I’m going to be doing it in honor of my mom,” Donald said.

Donald said his mother’s substitute teaching meant that she ended up teaching the children of many of Donald’s friends.

“She got to know a lot of the kids of the kids that I went to school with,” Donald said.

Fallen kept busy in retirement, Donald said, and she enjoyed the little things.

Donald said she loved watching Steve Harvey, playing computer games on Facebook and took photos with a selfie stick.

He said he remembers her attention drifting when he would call her and she would be in the middle of a Facebook game.

“I miss those phone calls already,” Donald said.

David Fallen, Fallen’s son, said he most fondly remembers her dedication and nurturing disposition. He said as a result of a vehicle accident that had caused head injuries and paralysis to the face, he said his mother had raised him twice.

“I can remember that my mom would work with me on my exercises to my face three times a day,” David said. “She was totally responsible for my quick recovery.”

David also remembers the affection shown to his neighborhood peers from Fallen when he and his siblings were growing up.

“They were treated as family,” David said.

Lanita Herndon, of Charlotte County, said Fallen had been a substitute teacher when she was in middle and high school.

“She was one of the sweetest ladies I knew,” Herndon said. “She always had a smile on her face.”

A statement from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 30 noted Fallen’s dedication and offered support for her family.

“The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Doris Fallen,” the statement cited. “It was an honor to have worked with her through the years. She was a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”