Stevensville – Doris Virginia Ragsdale, affectionately known as Grammy and Momma, 88, and beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, at her home in Stevensville, Montana, on December 31, 2012.
Doris was born in Palouse, Washington, on October 3, 1924, to Pearl and Chester Elsworth McFarland. Her early years were spent in Ottawa, Kansas, where she attended a little one-room schoolhouse. During the Great Depression, her family moved from their farm in Kansas to Santa Monica, California, where Doris graduated from John Adams Middle School and then from Santa Monica High School (Samohi). During World War II, she supported the war effort by moving to Seattle, Washington, and working for McDonnell Douglas. She married her sweetheart Clyde Ragsdale on July 7, 1951, in The First Christian Church in Santa Monica, California, after Clyde returned home from the Korean War. She raised four children: Robert, Judy, Beverly, and James. She moved to Stevensville, Montana, in 1993 and enjoyed this beautiful state for many happy years. She was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a lifetime patron of charitable causes.
Doris enjoyed sewing, crafting, cooking, creating a family genealogy, traveling, gardening, listening to her canaries sing, and, most of all, visiting with and enjoying her family. Doris self-published a Ragsdale family genealogy and was working on a McFarland family genealogy.
Doris joins her husband, Clyde; daughter, Judy; and son, James, in the loving arms of our Father in Heaven. Also predeceasing Doris are her two sisters, Roberta and Norma; her two brothers, Cecil and Robert; and her granddaughter, Ginger.
Doris is survived by her son, Robert (Kansas City, Missouri); her daughter, Beverly (Stevensville, Montana); her grandchildren, Doris, John, Geoffrey, and Jennifer; her great-grandchildren, Beren, Noel, Shanelle, Ryan, Mitchell, Andrew, Nathaniel, Cameron, Benjamin, Connor, Olivia, and Anthony; her great-great-grandchildren, Abby and Dawson; many cousins; many friends; her dog, Lucky; her grand-dog, Teddy; and her canaries, Tom and Jerry.
Doris will be missed greatly by all of those who knew and loved her. Her memorial service was held on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., at Whitesett Funeral Home, located at 314 Church Street, Stevensville, Montana 59870. Afterward, a reception was held next door at First Baptist Church. Doris will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula, Montana, following a private ceremony at a later date.
Those wishing to make a donation in Doris’ name are encouraged to donate to Samaritan’s Purse (P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000) or Christ for the Nations (444 Fawn Ridge Drive, Dallas, TX 75224), both of which are charities Doris supported.
Doris’ family would like to thank all of those who supported Doris during her time of distress, with special thanks to Beverly Aguirre; Gary and Jennifer LaPointe; Geoffrey Aguirre; Mabel Bruce; Samuel, Mitchell, and Andrew Schmidt; Doris Reynolds and Steve; Noel Giustino; Sue Devlin of A2Z Personnel; and Marcus Daly Hospice.
Beverly would like to add a special thank you to her friends and customers for their exceptional patience and graciousness during her Momma’s illness.
Momma’s love was special.
Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.whitersittfuneralhome.com.