Martha VanDorn

Mattie VanDorn of St. James, Missouri passed away at the St. James Nursing Home on November 2, 2003. She was 91 years of age.

Mattie was born on September 17, 1912 at Dixon, Missouri, the daughter of the late John and Nettie Wallace. She was united in marriage to Alva VanDorn on October 22, 1930 at Rolla, Missouri and to this union two children were born.

Mattie was very active in her church the St. James Christian Church of St. James, Missouri and loved it dearly. She became a christian in 1929 at the First Christian Church in Rolla, Missouri and in 1954 she transferred her membership to the St. James Christian Church. There she taught Primary Boys and Girls Class for 47 years; and she was in charge of all funeral dinners for the church. She was also a charter member of American Legion Auxiliary until it had to disband; was an officer in all offices of the American Legion Auxiliary. She worked in a motel, as a clerk and a store clerk with her husband in the store they owned "Van's Market" in St. James. She also was a cook at Boys and Girls Town of Missouri and then was a valued secretary of the Jones Funeral Home for many years. Mattie attend school in Rolla, Missouri.

Mattie is survived by her daughter: Betty Spurgeon and husband Wenston of St. James, Missouri; one son: Raymond VanDorn and wife Diana of Walnut, California; grandchildren: Teresa Kelso and husband Ted of Fort Worth, Texas; Deborah Wojnicz and husband Bob of Federal Way, Washington; William Spurgeon Jr. and wife Diane of Tucson, Arizona; great grandchildren: Kera Hubbard and husband Jeff of Bay City, Texas; Andrea MacDonald and husband Michael of Santa Clara, California; Daniel Gough and wife Carmen of Bothell, Washington; Katie Gough of Seattle, Washington; Amanda Spurgeon; and William Spurgeon III of Tucson, Arizona.

Mattie is preceded in death by her husband Alva on May 22, 1981; her parents; 2 brothers; 4 sisters; 3 nephews; and 2 nieces.

Mattie will lie in state at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James from 4-6 on Friday, November 7, 2003.

Funeral Services will be held at the Jones Funeral Home on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 10:00 am with Brother Dave Menge and Brother Rick Mosher officiating. Music, One Day At A Time and Victory In Jesus will be sung by Don Davis with Maretta Diestelkamp at the organ. Pallbearers will be: Ron Copeland; Johnny Wright; Mike Wools; Bernard Underwood; Lonnie Spurgeon; and Ron Mills. Burial will be in the family plot in the Rolla Cemetery in Rolla, Missouri. Memorials may be given to the Shiloh Christian Youth Ranch, cards are available at the Jones Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.