Dorothy Cantrell

Dorothy Belle Cantrell was born March 17, 1925, in Aiken, Texas, to Edward Truston Willard and Daisy Florence Zimmerman, and departed this life on December 9, 2025. She was 100 years, 8 months, and 22 days old.

Dorothy attended Gravel Point and Fowler Schools, later completing her education at Mountain Grove Public Schools, where she graduated in 1942.

On November 12, 1942, she was united in marriage to Claude Eugene Cantrell.

Dorothy was a hard worker all her life. In her younger years, her main focus was running a dairy farm with Claude and raising their seven children. She grew a huge garden each year, and all loved her home-grown cooking - especially her fried chicken. She was an outstanding seamstress and sewed all her children’s clothing.

Dorothy was known for her sharp wit and ability to offer the perfect comeback in an instant. She was also an avid bowler, bowling in multiple leagues and serving as secretary in many of those. She continued to bowl until age 93.

In her later years, the apples of her eye were her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy attended First Free Will Baptist Church of Mountain Grove, where she remained a devoted member for more than 60 years. As her health declined, Dorothy became homebound, but she remained steadfast in her love for the Lord and her church. She was baptized on February 27, 1972.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claude Cantrell; one daughter, Barbara Todd; two sisters, Ruth Jolley and Norma Rose Richter; three brothers, Charles “Chuck” Willard, Truman Willard and Wallace Willard; one daughter-in-law, Lorna Cantrell; two sons-in-law, Arliss Stigall and Byron Frisbee; one granddaughter, Kim Hanke; two grandsons, J.D. Ragsdale and Jeff Smith; one grandson-in-law, Novie “Buck” Baney; and one great-grandson, Garrett Hanke.

Dorothy will be deeply missed by her two sons, Jerry Cantrell and Ben (Kathy) Cantrell; four daughters, Peggy (Larry) Ragsdale, Judy Stigall, Carol Frisbee, and Marla (John) Pope; 18 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; 50 great-great-grandchildren and 2 more great-great-grandchildren on the way; and numerous other family members and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fowler Cemetery in care of the funeral home.