The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Obits

Related Photos

  • Donaldson,Dorothy.jpg

    Donaldson,Dorothy.jpg

Condolences

November 18, 2012

Dorothy Harner Spracklen Donaldson

The Joplin Globe

JOPLIN, Mo. — Surrounded by her five children, Dorothy Harner Spracklen Donaldson, 83, died at her home Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. She exemplified love to the very end.

Dorothy was born Dec. 20, 1928, in Nevada, MO, the third child of Harold and Esther Harner. She lived in Joplin most of her life, graduating from Joplin High School with the Class of 1946.

Her artistic talents showed early in life, as she won several honors for designs while still in high school. After attending Joplin Junior College, she spent a year at the Kansas City Art Institute. While there, she got engaged to Edwin E. Spracklen, whom she married in 1949 in Joplin. She traded her ambitions of becoming an architect for raising a family and influencing her children with her many talents as homemaker, artist, costume maker, Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and general life advisorbut most of all as a mother.

Ed passed away in 1967, and Dorothy went to work for Eagle-Picher Industries. Despite her many hours of work, she managed to continue her excellent domestic choreography. Her childrens friends gravitated to the home, because she made it comfortable for all.

In 1979, she retired from Eagle-Picher and also got married to Elmer Donaldson, Diamond. They gardened and welcomed grandchildren to their farm until Elmer died in 1992.

Dorothy was known for her kindness, good nature, quick wit, and slightly off-beat sense of humor. She had a smile on her face and a hug in her arms for almost every situation. Over the last 20 years, she generously volunteered her time: as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church, where she was a life member; a tutor for NALA Adult Literacy, where she was named Volunteer of the Year in 2009; an election judge; and a visitor to the homebound.

Even in times of adversity and illness, Dorothy remained confident that God was in control; she regularly reminded her children of this truth. She shared her warmth with numerous social groups, including the Womans Bible Study, Womans Club, and JHS Class of 46 Reunion group.

She is survived by her children, Steve Spracklen, Susan Cordell (George), Rebecca Kanan (Raaji), Carolyn Neely  (Mark Beegly), and Cindy Hoffner (Yo); step-children, Mary Silva and Jody Donaldson; grandchildren, Genevieve Moore (Joshua), Carey Neely (Kristi Ludeman), Leighton Cordell (Randi), Jason Clark (Hilary), Stephen Neely (Jenn), Stephanie Spracklen (Neil Chaudhry), Claire Yost (Daniel), April Clark (KC Wegner), Adelle Kanan, and Audrey Kanan; step-grandchildren Amy Silva,  Alex Silva, and Colleen Donaldson; five great-grandsons; sisters, Betty Ann Kemm and Virginia Scheerer, and brother, Joe Harner (Mary Ruth).

Funeral services and celebration of her life will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at First Presbyterian Church, Joplin, with Pastor Dave Burgess officiating. Private family graveside services will follow. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may visit the family from 5 till 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at Parker Mortuary.

The family prefers no flowers. Instead, donations may be made to the Benefit Account for Genevieve Harner Moore c/o SMB, or to the First Presbyterian Church Deacons Basket fund.

Text Only
Obits
  • Ivan King

    The Ivan King family

    May 19, 2013

  • Heifner, Mary.jpg Mary J. Heifner

    Mary Joan Heifner, 91, Diamond entered into rest on May 18, 2013, at St. Lukes Nursing Center, Carthage.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Lesley L. Wallace

    Lesley Loren Wallace, of Miami, Okla., went to be with the Lord on May 17, 2013.

    May 19, 2013

  • Larry Dale Teague

    Larry Dale Teague, of Miami, Okla., passed away on May 12, 2013, at Hillcrest Burn Center, in Tulsa, Okla.

    May 19, 2013

  • Amos,Jack.jpg Jack Amos

    Jack Amos, 88, Joplin, Mo., passed away May 17, 2013, following a lengthy illness.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • bartlett,loraine.jpg Loraine Rush Bartlett

    Loraine Rush Bartlett, 80, passed away on May 13, 2013, in Carthage, Mo.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • keith,scott.jpg Scott Alan Keith

    Scott Alan Keith, 31, a RN/paramedic, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Baker, Alfred - oval crop.jpg Alfred Baker

    Alfred Baker, 74, of rural Joplin, passed away Friday, May 3, 2013, at his home, following a long illness.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • spencer,peggy.jpg Peggy Louise Spencer

    Peggy Louise Spencer, age 78, of Joplin, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, after a sudden illness.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Lavon B. Thornberry

    In loving memory of Lavon B. Thornberry

    May 18, 2013