Doris Lorene Smith, 83, of Willow Springs, MO, passed away on May 8, 2021. She was born to Marshall and Zella (Stephenson) Ogle on November 19, 1937, in Willow Springs.
Lorene was a graduate of Willow Springs High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After college graduation, she lived in Colorado, where she worked as a newspaper reporter, before returning to Willow Springs, where she married Etcyl Smith and raised two daughters, Elizabeth Juliet Smith and Sarah Smith Nessel. Lorene’s career included writing and editing the Willow Springs News, helping run Smith Insurance Agency for many years and serving as the local librarian. She was also instrumental in organizing reunions for the Willow Springs High School Class of 1955 and was involved in several local clubs, including a bridge group and Study Club. She was a voracious reader and a skilled pianist. She also enjoyed art classes and gardening, and loved attending local theater and music performances.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Zella Ogle, and by her brother, Herbert Ogle.
She is survived by daughter Sarah Smith Nessel and her husband, Jeff Nessel; daughter Elizabeth Juliet Smith and her husband, George Misdary; grandson Elijah Nessel; and several nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to Lorene’s neighbor Rick Herring for everything he has done for her in recent years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Willow Springs Public Library or the Willow Springs Scholarship Club.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 13, at 2:30 p.m. at the Willow Springs City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
