Mrs. Zelda Ann Doyle

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths... Proverbs 3:5-6

It is with profound condolences that the Clark-Williams Funeral Home family announce the passing of Zelda Ann Doyle on Saturday, February 07, 2026.  Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

A Life Well Lived

Mrs. Zelda Ann Doyle was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Zelda was born February 20, 1942, in Diaz, Arkansas, the oldest of 3 children and the only daughter.

 A college graduate,  business owner of multiple businesses, a musical prodigy, she was a singing sensation at age 12, performing and winning on a radio program talent show in the 1950s. Zelda had a singing voice so beautiful, she captivated audiences. It was during this time she met and became lifelong friends with fellow Peorian Richard Pryor. At various venues, she would sing and he would do comedy.

An accomplished athlete, Zelda competed in dance contests throughout the region, she also won jitterbug and other popular dance contests in Peoria and beyond.

Zelda met William when they were teenagers in Peoria. William, the star on the football field and basketball court, and Zelda, the beautiful singing dancing prodigy. It was the first and only marriage between them, lasting 68 years. Their covenant marriage produced five children: Mr. Anthony Doyle, US Marine Corps, Professor Zelda Togun (Bola), Dr. Georgeanna Wright, Mrs. Celeste Englehardt (Elvis), and Mr. William J. Doyle II, US Army (Barbara). Her two sons and one grandson preceded her in death, as did her two brothers, Uncle Richard Watkins and Uncle Leon Watkins, her mother and father, Anna Mae Smith and Rufus Owens, and her grandmother Mrs. Nona Nichols.

In addition to her husband and 3 daughters, she is survived by her wonderful grandchildren, Richard, Marcus, Nicole, Johnross, Nathaniel, Candace, George, Harold, David (deceased), William, Desiree, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Zelda was a career strategist at a time and place where Black women were not present. Her tailor-made suits and fast fingers made light work of the shorthand and organizational tasks she expertly performed throughout her career in the aerospace and solar energy industries. A working wife and mother, she toured with her band as time allowed, even opening for Count Basie and his orchestra. Before she was 21, she played piano and organ, and read and wrote music.

Zelda was civic-minded and active in many causes. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star (OES) NAACP, and UNCF. Zion Baptist Church was our other home, and she was the church secretary, keeping Rev. Liggins updated and informed. WordMart was Mom’s business long before AI and chatgpt, and she and her staff handled data with efficiency and professionalism.

She next took on the Mississippi Delta, creating businesses and opportunities through her retail store, restaurant, bingo hall and nightclub. She did it all - she wrote and recorded her own ads, hired trained staff, handled distributors and producers with grace, beauty, intelligence, and “mother wit.” Tyrone Davis was one of many performers she was able to secure to perform in Greenwood, MS at Doyle’s Place.

Zelda was a woman with a very strong belief in God, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! She was a woman of vast resolve, discernment, and courage. She leaves a spirit of hope and determination to all those who knew her.

Please join us for a celebration of her extraordinary life, February 18, 2026, at 11:00 am.

Clark-Williams Funeral Home

602 Cherry Street

Grenada, MS 38901

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