Alice Lea Dills, age 98, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, passed away on December 17, 2021, in Springfield, Missouri.
She was born on September 25, 1923, to the Reverend Albin Harold Dunkin and Laura May Baty Dunkin in Oregon County, MO. On October 1, 1939, she was married to Ellis David Dills who preceded her in death on May 7, 1998.
Her church and family were of utmost importance in her life. At the age of nine she accompanied her father with her guitar as they sang beautiful old hymns and gospel songs during the church services he held throughout the State. Later in life she accompanied her husband as charter members of the Koshkonong Freewill Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, church secretary and treasurer as well as pianist and sang regularly as part of a quartet.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Albin Dunkin and Laura Dunkin, an infant sister, Ruby, sisters Murielene VonAllmen and Eula VonAllmen, one daughter-in-law Janet Barron Dills and one son-in-law Marion Riggs.
She is survived by four children: Berniece Vaughn, Washington, Illinois, Larry Dills (Jeannette) Rogersville, Missouri, Kenneth Dills, West Plains, Missouri and Janice Riggs, Springfield, Missouri. She is Grandma to 5 grandchildren: Kevin Vaughn, Larissa Amrein, Stephanie Dills, David Vaughn and Kimberly Riggs. She is Grandma Lea to 7 great-grandchildren: Jaden Rockwell, Jill Vaughn, Garrett Vaughn, William Amrein, Lauren Amrein, Coleman Vaughn and Anson Vaughn. She is Aunt Alice Lea to Bobby, Lee, Gary, and Dennis VonAllmen and Carolyn Meadow.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Koshkonong Cemetery, Koshkonong, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons and left at Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
Carter Funeral Home
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December 20, 2021 @ 5:03 pm
Prayers and Condolences to the Family of Alice Lea. I remember a very warm and loving person growing up as neighbors and friends. I ask the lord to hold the family close during this difficult time.
December 20, 2021 @ 6:40 pm
Alice Lea ,was such an important part of my life growing up the whole family was very important to our family so many memories , all the wonderful food Alice Lee cooked she was a very loving and giving lady ,she will be missed ,all our prayers and love to the family.
Karen and Ray Heistand
December 21, 2021 @ 7:04 am
Sweet Ms Alice Lea I will never forget the love she showed each of us kids at the Kosh Freewill growing up. From teaching us to hosting annual hayrides and snipe hunting ? you name it she and Buster made lasting memories for a lot of us. Sending prayers to her kids and family.
December 21, 2021 @ 7:28 am
So sorry for your loss. May God bless all of you during your time of sorrow.
December 21, 2021 @ 9:30 am
Bernice-
I am so saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. I will hold you and your family in my thoughts, heart, and prayers. I am sure she was an amazing woman, because you are so special as well. Blessings.
December 22, 2021 @ 9:45 am
I saw precious mrs dills at the grocery store each week for years. What a blessing to know her. My deepest sympathies are with the entire family
December 22, 2021 @ 3:20 pm
There is no doubt how much Ms. Alice Lea was loved. I cannot even imagine the sweet reunion she is having with Mr. Buster! Even though it wasn’t until later in life that our paths crossed, but I am so thankful that they did. She was the perfect example of how to love the Lord with all of your heart, and I am so blessed to have been able to witness someone with such love to share (and to find someone else out there that knows how to correctly spell “Lea”!).
Sending all the love to her children during this time, she could not have asked for a better family.
January 4, 2022 @ 2:15 am
Good people ,good neighbors, may the lord comfort the family .