Dorothy’s Obituary Dorothy Darlene Reaves peacefully fell asleep in her own home, as she wished, and went Home to Our Lord in Heaven on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at 67 years of age. She was born on December 6, 1951, in Carrollton, Missouri, a daughter of Miles ‘Pete’ Leroy and Shirley Belle (Cates) Sprague, later to be Shirley Skivers. Her early childhood years were spent in a one room cabin in Waverly, Missouri, with her parents and two older brothers, now deceased Paul Dean Sprague and Pud, formal name Floyd (and his wife who he actually met through Dorothy…) Grace Ellen Sprague of Raytown, Missouri.
Her parents, Pete and Shirley did divorce. The polio epidemic and life led Mother Shirley to be nearer the hospital where her only daughter stayed for such a long time. Shirley then met and married the love of her life and forever partner, Gerald Leroy Skivers.
The two together created a beautiful life filled with love and laughter; and also gave Dorothy another brother, Gerald Clark Skivers, of Branson, Missouri, aka Rowdy. Dorothy grew up being called “Sis”, but as an adult, friends called her Dotty. Struck with Polio as a child, Sis was left weakened in her right arm and her left leg.
She was in a wheelchair at age 4 and again at age 64. But she made the very most of the 60 years she had on her feet. Dorothy left the wheel chair behind and went on to have a full and active life.
She graduated from Ruskin High School in 1969 and went on to Beauty School in Grandview. Her working years were spent doing hair, tending bar, waitressing and eventually she was the sole owner of Dotty’s Hair Boutique in Warsaw. She even apprenticed to help teach others her trade.
She loved dancing and told the best jokes. Dorothy was an Air Force wife and dedicated her time to serving as a secretary to the American Legion in the 80s. She was married to Roger Taylor in 1970 and gave him three children: two daughters Shirley (Richard) Neth and Stacy (Charlie) McGann of Warsaw and a son, Tony (Roberta) Taylor of Rogersville, Missouri.
Dorothy was baptized at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in the 1990s. She married Bobbie Lee Reaves in October 1994. Throughout her time, Dotty was a step-mother to Terry Randall Swift, Vickie (Gene) Cunningham, David (Sherry) Reaves and Jared (Angie) Reaves.
Together, Bob and Dotty, enjoyed being Nana and Poppy to all of their grandkids, Logan, Savannah, Courtney, Morgan, Garrett, Josie, Addison, CJ, Sarah, Dustin and Hannah, as well as, three great-grandsons, Liam, Hudson and Preston; and two great-granddaughters, Gracie and Carlee. Dorothy lost both father figures, Pete Sprague and Gerald L. Skivers, her eldest brother, Paul Dean Sprague, and her husband, Bobbie Lee Reaves. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Skivers, two brothers, Floyd Sprague and Gerald C. Skivers, and all three of her faithful, loving children, Shirley, Stacy, and Tony, their children and grandchildren.
Her legacy lives on as well through the love she shared with all the children she had a hand in raising and all those who knew her. Dotty never knew a stranger and had a warm smile for everyone. Celebration of life memorial service will be held March 30, 2019, at 2 pm at the American Legion Post on Wildcat Drive in Warsaw, Missouri.
Memorial contributions can be sent to funeral home, PO Box 37, Cole Camp, Missouri 65325.
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