Doreen "Spence" Worrell

Our sweet mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Doreen Faye Worrell (Spence), went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, November 1, 2025. She was 87 years old and passed peacefully at The Heritage in Overland Park, Kansas.

Mom was born on April 19, 1938, in Anchorage, Alaska, to the late Lloyd and Clara (Skinner) Rafferty. From her very first days, she was gentle, thoughtful, and had the biggest heart. Those who knew her know she never met a stranger - just friends she hadn't gotten to love yet.

In 1959, Mom took a job as a live-in housekeeper and, as she would tell it, "fell in love with the boss." That "boss" turned out to be Howard Worrell, the love of her life. They married in 1961 and shared 32 beautiful, laughter-filled years together before his passing in 1993. Later, she found companionship again with E. Murl Spence, who also preceded her in death.

She had a wonderful gift for making every person feel seen, loved, and safe. Her home was always open - filled with kids, laughter and love. Over the years, she cared for her own children, countless neighborhood kids, and she opened her heart and home to more than a hundred foster children, each one leaving with a piece of her love. She had a special way of seeing the good in people, especially in children who needed someone to believe in them. She made everyone feel like they belonged - like they were home. She also played a huge role in raising her youngest grandchildren, shaping their lives with her patience, humor, and endless kindness.

Her interests reflected her love of life's simple joys: traveling, tending her vegetable garden, sewing and knitting, listening to music, and watching Bradley Braves basketball and her beloved Chicago Cubs. She could spend hours cloud-watching or enjoying the company of birds outside her window. She could find joy in the simplest moments and taught us all to do the same.

Mom served her community with the same loving heart she gave her family. She was an officer in the Peoria Navy Club, a Webelo Den Leader, and both a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader.

More than anything, Mom was the heart of our family. Her love and guidance shaped generations. She created traditions that will continue for years to come. She had a saying that every one of us still carries in our hearts - words she whispered when we said goodbye: "I love you the mostest and I said it first, and it lasts until next time I see you."

Mom was preceded in death by her husbands, Howard Worrell and E. Murl Spence; her son, Steven Joseph Sawyer; her sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline and Richard Smith; and her son-in-law, Clint Mooney.

She leaves behind a family who loves her beyond words - her children: Larry Worrell (Williams, AZ), Jerry "Travis" Worrell and wife Eve (Snohomish, WA), J.D. "Judd" Sawyer (Scio, OR), Rexene Worrell and husband Eric Dondich (Springfield, MO), and Connie Mooney (Kearney, MO). She will be forever remembered by her grandchildren: Joanna Myers (Nathan Lawrence), Taylor Carson (Nick), Nikki Hill (Robbie), Amber Roscoe, and Cal Pitman (Angelica Shelton); and her great-grandchildren: Zoey Hake, Karsen Roscoe, Kennedy Hill, and Peyton Hill - all of whom adored their Granny.

She is also survived by her sisters Shirlee Arkless of West Covina, CA and Terri Ellison (Danny Sullivan) of Mountain Center, CA; her brother Kenneth Michael King of Arizona; and a large extended family of stepchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her dearly.

We want to thank the many caregivers who surrounded Mom with compassion and tenderness throughout her eight-year journey with Alzheimer's. Your love gave her peace and dignity to the very end.

A visitation will be held Friday, November 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM at White Chapel Funeral Home (6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO), followed by a memorial service at 6:00 PM. In keeping with Mom's favorite color, we invite everyone to wear something pink.

An additional visitation will take place Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner, NE, followed by a private family graveside service at Wisner Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association (donorservices.alz.org or by mail at P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011) in lieu of flowers.

Our hearts ache with missing her, but we rejoice knowing she is whole again - smiling, dancing, and watching over us with that twinkle in her eye.

"Earth has one gentle soul less, and Heaven one angel more."