Doretha P. Barkwell's Obituary
Doretha P. Barkwell, 79, of Chetopa, KS, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2013 at Freeman Health System in Joplin, MO, surrounded by her family. She was born August 20, 1934 in Rural Welch, OK to Loyd and Mabel (Wilkins) Griffith. She was a graduate of Welch High School and attended Business College. She worked in a garment factory as a seamstress until 1987, when she retired to take care of her granddaughter, Kirbee. She was an avid homemaker and seamstress. She enjoyed sewing for families in the Chetopa and Welch area. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was a member of the Church of God in Chetopa. Doretha was preceded in death by her parents, 1 infant brother, 1 infant sister, and 1 very special brother-in-law, Buck Rogers. She is survived by 2 daughters, Debbie Yost and her husband Ron, and Connie Beck and her husband Tom, all of Chetopa; 2 grandchildren, Kirbee Yost of Denver, CO, and Jake Beck of Rural Chetopa; 1 step granddaughter, Jodee Yost of Belleville, TX; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Lorene Rogers of Rural Welch; and a host of friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch. Minister Terry Robinson will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Rodger Wilson, Cecil Ahrens, Tom Ridgeway, Doug Paxson, Rick Rogers, and Ryan Darnell. Interment at Rogers Cemetery, West of Welch, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Church of God, Chetopa.
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