Doris Louise (Owens) Mings-Thornhill, daughter of the late Elmer and Ruby (Reaves) Owens, was born Jan. 1, 1931, in Wright County, near Norwood, and departed this life on Sep. 12, 2021, in Springfield, at the Jacob’s Ladder End of Life Legacy Home. She was 90 years, 8 months and 11 days of age. Louise was united in marriage to Dale A. Mings. Four children were born to this union, Gary, Carrol, Beverly and Annette Louise. Mr. Mings passed away in 1982. Louise was later united in marriage to Jimmie Thornhill. They loved to travel together in their RV and were long-time members of the Good Sam’s RV Club. They made many friends during their travels to many parts of the United States over the years. Louise’s greatest love in life was spending her time with family. She and Jim were instrumental in assisting with organizing family reunions for the extended families. Louise also loved to cook and enjoyed showing love to her family and friends through food. Some of her signature dishes were chicken with homemade noodles, yeast buns and cinnamon rolls and homemade pies. Louise was a very devoted Christian and a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Mountain Grove for over 50 years. She was a generous and giving person and rarely met a stranger. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Besides her parents and first husband, Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Thornhill; three daughters, Carrol (Mings) Wagoner, Beverly (Mings) Helsley and infant Annette Louise Mings; one granddaughter, Dee Anna (Wagoner) Koerner; one sister, Vivian (Owens) Turner; and one brother-in-law, Carl Turner. She is survived by her son, Gary Mings, of Mountain Grove; grandchildren, Shawna Helsley, of Branson; Chris Snyder (Audri), of Wichita, Kan.; Holly Helsley, of Marshfield; Michika Linton (Josh), of Platte City; and Sarah Hammett (Adam), of Vanzant; and great-grandchildren, Jake Koerner, Kyerra Snyder, Gunner Snyder, Gavin Linton, Aubree Linton, Emma Linton, Jade Birt, Faith Birt and Garrett Hammett; son-in-law, Bruce Helsley, of Marshfield; sister-in-law, Evelyn Lawson, of Rawlings, Wyo.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins from a large extended family in southern Missouri and from coast-to-coast. Funeral Services for Louise Thornhill were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sep. 18, 2021, in the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mountain Grove. Serving as officiant was the Rev. Gary Fry. Special songs were “Amazing Grace,” “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and “I’ll Have A New Body.” Pallbearers were Holly Helsley, Michika Linton, Shawna Helsley, Sarah Hammett, Adam Hammett, Gary Mings, Larry Turner and Douglas Turner. Honorary Pallbearers were Bruce Helsley, Chris Snyder, Wally Turner, David Turner and Josh Linton. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Norwood, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Jacob’s Ladder End of Life Legacy Home. Online Condolences:www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
