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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