Dorothy Head of Kearney, Missouri entered eternal rest on Tuesday July 5, 2016. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 10 at Second Baptist Church, Liberty, Missouri. Visitation will precede the service at 1 p.m. Burial following the service at the Masonic Cemetery in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Dorothy was born August 19, 1936 to H. Orlando and Rose Betson Johnson in Purdin, Missouri. She attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Nursing with a BSN. She married her high school sweetheart Gilbert Head on August 22, 1959. At the start of their married life they lived in a log cabin near Columbia while Gilbert attended the University of Missouri. Dorothy began her nursing career at KU Medical Center and was a school nurse for Excelsior Springs schools for 26 years.
Of utmost importance to Dorothy was her faith in God, followed by her devotion to her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a member of Second Baptist Church and a third generation member of the PEO Sisterhood. She served as church organist for 25 years at Woods Memorial Christian Church. Dorothy found much joy in music, gardening and quilt making and was a master pie baker. She possessed a gentle and loving spirit and was a kind friend to many.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Janet Faulkner, and brother-in-law Jack Faulkner. Dorothy is survived by her husband of 56 years, two children, Sara Miller (Daniel) Rocheport, Missouri and Geoffrey Head, Kansas City, Missouri, two grandchildren Laura Miller Schonhardt (Thomas) Columbia, Missouri and Anna Miller, Rocheport, Missouri, brother Dean Johnson (Marlene) Purdin, Missouri and many other cherished family members.
Memorial contributions may be made in care of Gilbert Head for a scholarship fund in Dorothy’s name to be awarded to a Linn County R-1 student pursuing a degree in nursing.
Arrangements are through Bross and Spidle Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs.