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, MO. Doris was born April 25, 1926 in Willow Springs, MO. to Elizabeth Jane and Fidella Gardner. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, husbands; Olavi Herbert Niemi, Walter V. Phillips, and Hallie E. Smitherman, her oldest son; Kenneth E. Niemi, five sisters, three step-sisters, three brothers, one step-brother, two brothers-in-law, and one step-son. She is survived by her son Les E. Niemi and wife Yoko, Doris’ daughter-in-law whom she treated like a daughter and referred to her as “My Girl”, step-son; Larry Henderson, step-daughters, Bettie Hatcher, Willa Phillips, Twila Powers, Deloris Clark and husband Jim, brother; Hugh Jim Gardner and wife Matilda, eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, a special niece and Nurse; Stephany who helped her and treated her like a Mother, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Doris Loved God and She Loved her Family. She was a Christian and a Charter member of the Crossroads (now Legacy) Baptist Church in Buffalo, MO. She was known to many as the "Flower Lady" and later, as the "Card Lady." She loved growing flowers and plants and giving starts of them away to family and friends. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, woodworking, making crafts, fishing, singing, playing the organ, playing cards, and completing word find puzzles, among many other interests. Her passion in later years, and something that she excelled in, was making inspirational picture cards using Bible verses, and photos she had taken on her travels. She made around 200 cards each month, as well as the envelopes. Each one was hand-addressed to relatives and friends across the nation. She took great pride in making, personalizing, and mailing out her original cards and envelopes each month. It was only one of her many unique ways, she reached out to touch and brighten the lives of hundreds of people to let them know that they had someone who cared. Her caring nature and desire to help others, was also reflected in her profession as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She retired as an LPN from Mercy Villa Nursing Home in Springfield, MO. in 1981. She had lived in Springfield for many years, prior to moving to Halfway, MO. Doris was a Wonderful, Loving, Caring Mother, teacher, mentor, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt neighbor and last but certainly not least, "Friend." She will be greatly missed by all who knew and Loved her. May She rest in peace. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020 in the Legacy Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday in the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home.

Doris Smitherman

April 25, 1926 - September 27, 2020