Doris Dean (Edwards) Wyrick

Doris Dean Wyrick, age 98, of Miller County, Mo., passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021, at the Miller County Care and Rehab Center.  She was born September 1, 1923, in Miller County, Mo., the daughter of John G. and Minnie (Bilyeu) Edwards.  She grew up attending the Mt. View Church of Christ and was baptized when she was 18.She was married on June 26, 1944, in Kansas City, Kansas to Rex R. Wyrick who preceded her in death on May 9, 2001.  She was a 1941 graduate of Tuscumbia High School.  Following graduation she worked in St. Louis at a factory for a short time and then at a drug store and a bank in Kansas City.  After marriage she was a stay-at-home mom until the nest was empty.  She then worked as a teacher’s aide in special needs classroom at Tuscumbia School, retiring in 1985.  Doris had a large collection of books.  Reading was her favorite activity throughout her life.  She enjoyed quilting and was an excellent seamstress in her younger years, making all of her daughter’s clothing and keeping a number of dolls outfitted.  She and Rex enjoyed going to auctions and antiquing.  She wrote many stories about her family and growing up on the Osage River. In May of 1937 she was involved in a boat accident on the Osage River when it was at flood stage.  There were five people on the boat when it sank in fifty feet of water at King’s Bluff.  With the use of two inner tubes she was able to keep herself and one other girl, Rena Gardner, afloat and tow them both to the shore several hundred feet down the river.  The following year she was awarded a medal for heroic bravery by the Iberia American Legion post.  She believed one of the best things she witnessed in her life was the advancement in modern medical knowledge and care.  The worst thing being that we can’t seem to have peace.  Her words of advice to all:  “The best thing about life is that it starts new everyday!”  “Pray without ceasing!”  “Love one another!”   She had a very positive attitude and when confronted with a problematic situation she would always say, “We just won’t worry about that today.”  Survivors include:  daughter Karen Smith (Larry) of Eugene, sons John Wyrick, (Sally Haughey) of Tulsa, Ok., Ray Wyrick (Janet) of Jefferson City;   Six grandchildren, John Smith (Mendy), Joe Smith (Jennifer), Amina Hood (Matt), Kira Harkins (Jeremy), Dane Wyrick (Renee Casteel), and Emilee O’Berry (Alexander);   Ten great grandchildren, Aubrie, Wyatt, Skylar and Presley Smith, Rex Daugherty, Hannah and Lucy Hood, Finn Wyrick,  Kallee O’Berry and Olivia Harkin.

sister-in-law, Maudine “Dean” Edwards  Numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rex; her siblings, Eileen Snodgrass, Jack Edwards, and Mary Groves.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 26, 2021 from 10:00 AM 11:00 AM at ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Fairgrounds Road Church of Christ 1316 Fairgrounds Road Jefferson City, MO 65109 with a Memorial Service beginning at 11:00 AM with Carey Terry officiating.  Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Tuscumbia High School Alumni Association

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Phillips Funeral Home, Eldon, MO

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