Doris Smitherman

Doris Smitherman age 94, of Halfway, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on Sunday morning September 27, 2020. She passed away at the Citizen's Memorial Health Care Facility in Bolivar, Missouri. Doris was born April 25, 1926 in Willow Springs, Missouri to Elizabeth Jane and Fidella Gardner.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, husbands; Olavi Herbert Niemi, Walter Vaughn Phillips, and Hallie Edward Smitherman, her eldest son; Kenneth Edward Niemi, four sisters, three brothers, five step-sisters, one step-brother, four brothers-in-law, and one step-son.

 

She is survived by her son; Leslie Eugene Niemi and wife; Yoko of Albuquerque, New Mexico, daughter-in-law; Arleen Niemi of Lexington, South Carolina, step-son; Larry Henderson, step-daughters; Bettie Hatcher, and Twila Powers of Springfield, Missouri, DeLoris Clark and husband Jim of Bates City, Missouri, brother; Hugh Jim Gardner and wife Matilda of Denver, Colorado, eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

 

Doris Loved God and She Loved her Family. She was a Charter member of the Crossroads (Legacy) Baptist Church in Buffalo, Missouri. She was talented in many things, such as woodworking, cooking, baking, sewing, and growing plants and flowers. She enjoyed crafting, knitting, crocheting, photography, fishing, playing cards, word find puzzles, playing the organ, and many other interests. Doris had a caring nature and desire to help others, which was demonstrated in her chosen profession as a Licensed Practical Nurse. A long time resident of Springfield, Missouri, she retired from Mercy Villa Nursing Home there as an LPN in 1981. After retiring, she and her husband Walter, moved to Halfway, Missouri to built their  retirement home where she lived for 39 years, growing flowers and plants, and giving starts of them away to friends and relatives. Many of the locals knew her as "The Flower Lady."  In later years, her passion turned to constructing and mailing around 200 handmade inspirational cards to family and friends each month. Each card had a cover photo which she had photographed of her flowers, and scenes from her previous travels. Making and sending out her homemade cards and envelopes each month was just one of the many unique ways Doris reached out to touch and brighten the lives of hundreds of people, to let them know that someone cared about them. For this, she also became known as "The Card Lady." Doris was a Wonderful, Loving, Caring Mother, teacher, mentor, Wife, Sister, Cousin, Aunt, Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Neighbor, and a Friend to many. 

 

Funeral Services were held under the direction of Cantlon-Otterness-Viets of Buffalo, Missouri on Friday October 2, 2020 at Legacy Baptist Church in Buffalo, Missouri with Reverend Russell Adams officiating. Burial followed, with interment at Memorial Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Buffalo, Missouri. Doris will be greatly missed by all who knew, and Loved her. She was a Wonderful Lady.  May She rest in Peace.