Doreyl (Doris) Ammons Cain

Doreyl (Doris) Ammons Cain, age 83, of Tuckasegee, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 14 at the VA Valor Hospice Center in Asheville. She was born on April 22, 1943, on Wolf Mountain in Jackson County NC, to the late Frank Ammons and Cannie Owen Ammons. Doreyl, grew up drawing birds in the dirt of the mountain roads around her home. 

In 1961, Doreyl entered the U.S. Air Force, and eventually was stationed in California, where she worked in about every artistic venue-- storyboarding for films, owning her own design & advertising agency (specializing in logo design) through which she won many design awards. During this time, she exhibited her works of fine art in group and individual shows at the Smithsonian Institute, the Pentagon, and at traveling art exhibitions in museums and galleries throughout the country.

She returned home to North Carolina in 1990, along with her sister, Amy Ammons Garza, and cofounded Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to honoring the heritage and creativity of all people. She and her sister Amy, facilitated creativity workshops for millions of children and adults in schools and colleges for many years. 

In 1995, her life suddenly changed when she found her soulmate (Jerry) at a candle service on Christmas Eve. They shared their love for nature with hiking and kayaking throughout the smoky mountains for over 30 years. They together hand built a Tree House in the deep woods of Tuckasegee which became their home for sharing a love for nature. 

Then, in 2010 she received a commission from the new Jackson County Library Complex to paint a mural based on the heritage of the area during the time the Courthouse was built. The mural is now on permanent display on the first floor of this beautiful library. 

Importantly, public art was Doreyl’s greatest passion. She believed that art should be shared in communities to uplift the spirit and raise awareness of life’s beauty. This love for murals brought her to want to share the vast talent of the muralists living in Western North Carolina. So, after 10 years of research with husband Jerry Cain, the Appalachian Mural Trail (AMT) came alive in 2016, brought to life by Doreyl and Jerry. The project blossomed into a viable success with over 100+ North Carolina and Virginia historical murals on the trail. https://www.muraltrail.com. 

Those who knew Doreyl will remember her not just for her dedication to her profession, but also for the wisdom, kindness, generosity and her warm smile she extended to everyone in her life. 

"Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss 

Doreyl is survived by her husband of 30 years, Jerry Cain of Tuckasegee; her son David Quarnstrom of Cashiers, her sister Amy Ammons Garza of Taylors, SC, her brother David Ammons of Taylors, SC., and her two cherished cats Lucky and Buffy. She is predeceased by her son Eric Quarnstrom.

 A celebration of life will be held at Appalachian Funeral Home, 165 Skyland Drive, Sylva, NC 28779 on August 3rd. 3pm to 5pm

Appalachian Funeral Service is honored to serve the Cain family.