Doris Biscoe

ANNOUNCEMENT Doris Biscoe died of natural causes at the age of 77 at her home in Maryland on June 7, 2024. LIFESTORY Doris was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up with loving parents, Joseph Gregory and Corrie Faye (Hagood) Biscoe, and a brother, Lionel. She grew up with a strong Christian faith that never wavered. Her faith and compassion were part of her winning formula, dredging her to a lifetime of community work as a volunteer and advocate for causes affecting the underprivileged and underserved. She moved to Detroit in her 20s, married and divorced, and was the proud mother to two children, Anthony and Melissa. She engrained herself in the Detroit community in every way. Although Doris was born in and began her career in Washington, D.C., it was in Detroit that she became a legendary newscaster. Despite her celebrity status, Doris always remained humble and grounded. She felt everyone had a valuable story to tell, and she connected with everyone she met no matter their level of finance, culture, age, or origin. Although she often mingled with dignitaries and was known as a lady of fashion, she was truly just at home with friends and family. Her happy place that she escaped to over the years was Hilton Head Island, SC. She loved the ocean and could stare at it for hours. She had family ties to the state. Only after retirement did she move back to her hometown of Washington DC, where she remained active in the community and was loved by all who knew her. Doris died peacefully of natural causes at home in Maryland on June 7, 2024. CAREER Doris touched countless lives through her work in media and unwavering dedication to the community. She also broke the glass ceiling on many fronts, including becoming the first black female model to grace the pages of The Washington Post and the first black female disc jockey in Washington, DC (WGAY-FM, Silver Spring, MD). She began a prestigious modeling career while attending Howard University (BA, Communications). She worked with The Washington Post, appeared in local radio and television commercials, and toured the national auto show for Pontiac. Her introduction into the news was as Host of “Black News,” a weekly public affairs TV show (WTTG-TV Washington DC). Next, she made her renowned move, joining the WXYZ-Channel 7- Detroit ACTION NEWS team in February 1973, where she shined in the community and on air for a record-making 27 years (1973-2000). While at WXYZ and as a Feature Reporter for WGPR-FM 107.5, Detroit’s first black-owned FM radio station whose call letters were often referred to as Where God’s Presence Radiates, Doris quickly became a symbol of pride for Detroit and the State of Michigan, plus a glowing role model for girls of all races. Her passion, grace, and journalistic integrity led to countless honors and awards throughout her career, including the Mayor’s Award of Merit, Detroit City Council’s Distinguished Service Award, the SE Michigan March of Dimes Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1987, and American Women in Radio and Television’s (AWRT) honorary “Outstanding Woman in News” in 1980. Her efforts to enhance the quality of life in Michigan were visible daily and recognized regularly. Beginning at WXYZ as its second black female reporter (following Ann Eskridge) and only Night Reporter, she quickly kicked off her legacy in 1974 with the documentary, “Breast Surgery Rebirth or Betrayal”, which received a Detroit AFTRA Golden Mike Award, a Detroit Emmy Award, and in its running for a National Emmy garnered a National Finalist Honorarium for Community Service. From there, she went from budding reporter to major anchor in just a few short years, regularly hitting No. 1 ratings in everything she did. In 1976, she landed the role of Weekend Anchor, cohosting with Don Lark and later Ven Marshall. In 1979, she was promoted to 6 p.m. Weeknight Anchor with Jac LeGoff, replacing John Kelly, who moved full-time to “Kelly & Co.” Rich Fisher later joined as her Co-Host. During this time, Doris created many award-winning features and specials that made their way into the hearts of Detroiters and Americans and made a difference in countless lives. In 1981, she began her weekly Tuesday night “Gift of Love” segment featuring a local child available for adoption, which won an Honor from the Child Welfare League of America in 1982. In 1983, she won a Broadcast Media Award and the Detroit Press Club Foundation Award for her Alzheimer’s Disease documentary. In 1986, her Close-Up Report “Rosa Parks/Return to Montgomery” garnered three awards: First Place Award from the Detroit Press Club, a special juried award from the San Francisco International Film Festival, and a National Commendation Award from American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT). In 1987, as part of the ABC network campaign against illiteracy, the 30-part half-hour series “Learn to Read” launched with national syndication to 90 stations. “Learn to Read” received a certificate of recognition in 1987 from the International Film and TV Festival of New York. That same year, Doris produced the “Illiteracy” documentary for which she won an Emmy Award for Best Talent News. During this time of flourish, Doris added to her workload by pivoting to the cinema through a small role as a news anchor in “The Rosary Murders.” She became a solo Anchor for WXYZ’s new weekday “Action News Midday” (Rob Kress, weatherman). This was a critical time when WXYZ broke away from its network programming restrictions and began original programming, entering into direct competition with WDIV and WJBK. The primary “Midday” audience of stay-at-home women gravitated to Doris’s natural charisma, and she anchored both “Midday” and “6 pm” until July 1986, when she returned to “6 pm News”. In 1995, Doris began co-anchoring “Channel 7 Action News This Morning” with Erik Smith, which she continued until she departed from WXYZ in 2000. In 1998, Doris became President of a successful media training company in Clarkston, MI, Doris Biscoe Communications. Her priceless coaching clients included the United Autoworkers Union (UAW), Wayne County Airport Authority, and Health Alliance Plan (HAP). She also led media training for dozens of influential Michigan leaders, proudly ensuring all her work served the City of Detroit and the great State of Michigan. Doris retired in 2012. FAMILY Doris is survived by her brother Lionel Biscoe & wife Deborah (Bobbitt) (Maryland), and her niece Kristina (Maryland); her son Anthony Bailey and her grandchildren Addison and Carson (Nevada); her daughter Melissa (Bailey) Hawry & husband Liam Hawry, and her grandchildren Miles and Linden (Illinois). Doris was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Gregory Biscoe (1969), and mother, Corrie Faye (Hagood) Biscoe (1996). MEMORIAL Visitation and Funeral will occur at Marshall-March Funeral Homes—Prince George’s County, 4308 Suitland Rd, Suitland, MD 20746. Visitation will be Friday, June 14th, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral will be Saturday, June 15th, at 11 a.m. Private burial proceedings will immediately follow. A Celebration of Life is being planned and will be held in Detroit at a later date. Details will be released as they are known. CLOSING Doris’s faith, optimism, quick-witted humor, integrity, and love for everyone were contagious. She was an agent of change who sought to inspire others. An easy yet delible way to honor Doris is by reflecting on your life and legacy and perhaps adopting one or more traits that help change the world.

Tributes

Doris Biscoe

September 30, 1946 - June 7, 2024