Mrs. Dorothy Louise (Bennett) Richards

Dorothy Louise (Bennett) Richards, formerly of Willow Springs, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2020 while at Shepherd’s View Assisted Living in Alton, MO. She was born June 23, 1926 to Dwight Lyman and Cleo (Smith) Williamson in Burnham, MO and was 94 years old. Dorothy attended grades 1 through 8 at Burnham; she also attended and was a member of the class of 1944 at Willow Springs High School. Dorothy accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and attended Dry Creek Church in later years. As a young woman, she was a waitress at the K&J Café in Willow Springs. She worked for several area doctors as a receptionist; however, she was so much more. Although she was not a registered nurse, she participated in the delivery of babies, helped with the tonsillectomy of her son, and was a surgical assistant to Dr. Perkins, Dr. Walton, and Dr. Coffee. After her medical career, she stayed home and worked on the farm alongside her husband, Roger. She and Roger Bennett attended the same school and later fell in love and were married on April 5, 1947 in Salem, AR. They were married 46 years at which time, Roger passed away. Dorothy had many interests in life; she was an accomplished seamstress and made clothing for her family. She particularly loved to make Barbie doll clothes and dress Barbie dolls to give to children. She even had “projects” from her fellow residents at the assisted living facility once they discovered she could sew. She loved to stay busy and was always looking after her fellow residents. Dorothy was also a talented musician and was able to play numerous instruments with the piano and accordion being her favorites. She also enjoyed playing the piano and accordion for her fellow residents. She loved to sing and sang in a quartet with 3 younger men whom she liked to refer to “as her boys”! Dorothy was also quite the dancer and you could find her at a local square dance just about every weekend while she was able to do so. Dorothy also loved to bake and was an avid reader. She dearly loved her family and will be greatly missed by them as well as all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Bennett; her husband Howard Richards; a grandson, Jerrad Bennett, and brother-in-law, Leland Hauth. She is survived by son Larry Bennett and his fiancée, Debbie Aldridge of Cabool; son, Craig Bennett and his wife, Linda of Willow Springs; daughter, Dana Bennett and her fiancée, Casey Cox of Alton; sister, Zoe Anne Hauth of Phoenix, AZ; brother, Earl Robertson and his wife, Wanda of West Plains; sister, Kaye Tipton and her husband, Robert of Willow Springs; sister, Judie Corley of Hardinsburg, KY; brother, John Williamson and his wife, Karen of Byron, GA; brother, David Williamson and his wife, Tina of Warrenton, VA; sister, Sue Lewis and her husband, Kelly of Falls of Rough, KY; two aunts: Etta Williamson and Delores Williamson, both of Willow Springs. She is further survived by 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at the Burnham Cemetery with Pastor Scott Williamson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Dorothy Louise (Bennett) Richards

June 23, 1926 - August 22, 2020

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Mrs. Dorothy Louise (Bennett) Richards

June 23, 1926 - August 22, 2020

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Contact Us

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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