Doris Jean (West) Melton
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Doris Jean (West) Melton, passed on Saturday morning July 13, 2024. She was preceded by her parents LV and Clara West; her brother Dale West; her sister Editha (Pokey to her family) Petty; a well-loved son Douglas Kent Melton; the one and only love of her life LL Melton; and all but one, for those who know, of the famous Westwood Hills Gang.
She is survived by her daughter Marla (Fred) Kimsey; grandsons Steve (Shelly) Kimsey and Jeff (Kathy) Kimsey; great grandsons Hunter Coleman, Adam and Bryson Travis; great granddaughters Elizabeth (TJ) Wahl, Abbie and Annie Echols, Lisa Travis, and Kristin Strohm; four great, great grandchildren, multiple nephews and nieces, and the many grown children of her lifelong friends and companions of the Westwood Hills gang.
Doris was born at home on June 19, 1932, the baby of the family. She was raised in Stanberry, Missouri. Her teen years were cut short while she fought tuberculosis and a prolonged period of absolute rest at Mount Vernon’s Tuberculosis Sanatorium. This “rest period” reshaped her life and the short firecracker with a long fuse never sat still again.
Doris met Lem (LL) at a café in King City, Missouri, one Saturday evening while on a weekend pass from the hospital. They married on November 5, 1950. They were always together thru thick and thin, and loving each other for 64 years until Lem’s passing in November 2014. Lem called her DJ.
She had many “professional and service” career jobs. She was a full-time mom until Doug and Marla finished grade school. She was always the president of every PTA at every grade level. She started working as secretary to the principal at Benton grade school in Independence and eventually became Secretary to the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the entire Independence School District, under John Freytag, for many years. She also served as president of the secretary group.
Doris has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Missouri, for almost 70 years. She has been active in Circle, cooked countless lunches and dinners for multiple occasions, played in the Bell Choir, served as Secretary and was the Church Treasurer until 2019. She loved every activity and her church friends.
She enjoyed a lifelong circle of friends from her first home in Westwood Hills, “The Westwood Hills Gang.” This group of married couples drank coffee every evening together, square danced together, float trips together, moved to different neighborhoods together, bought cabins at the lake together, played bridge together, snow skied, traveled and partied together for 50 years.
Doris was a bowler, a square dancer, a snow skier, an avid bridge player, a dancer, and a career party planner.
For the last 2 ½ years, Barbara Free has been Doris’s roommate and companion at Monterrey Park. Our family appreciates Barb and the many wonderful caregivers Doris has had including Sam, Mary on days, Kathy, Grace, Mary on evenings, India, and Abbie.
We also appreciate the visits from her church family, bringing communion, and Pastor Dave Carlson.
Visitation will be 9am, Saturday, July 20, 2024, followed by funeral services at 10am, at First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Pleasant St, Independence, Missouri 64050. Entombment to follow in Mound Grove Cemetery.
We celebrate a life of commitment and service and know she is at peace with God healthy and surrounded by many who have been waiting patiently for her.
So sorry for the family’s loss. You all are in my prayers to find peace and comfort in your time of grief
Doris has been a lifelong family friend. Working as a Secretary at Bridger Junior High Mom and Doris became fast friends. When Dad hired Doris as his Secretary he started a playful fight over where Doris belonged and whose friend she was first. Doris and Mom were in Independence Young Matrons together. Mom and Dad were partners with Doris and Lem on the Independence Bowling League. Kera and I would watch them Bowl. Lem would quietly walk to the vending machines and buy Doris her favorite candy bar never saying a single word. This was his way of saying, “I Love You!” Doris always said, “Gwennie, they can make you do anything for eight hours a day but your night is yours! She believed in working hard and playing hard. Mom, Doris, Dad and Lem would get dolled up for a night on the town. You could hear Doris laughing and living life to the fullest before they left. They always lined up in our living room for a group picture and sometime during the night Doris could be found laughing so hard she was rolling on the ground. Her laughter was infectious. Dad needed Doris! In many ways she was the part of his brain that took care of spelling, grammar, typing and finishing his sentences or finding out what he forgot before he knew he lost something. They were a team! Being a person of no coordination Doris always came to school to pick me up and take me to the Doctor or home! My Mom’s funeral is also this Saturday, July 20th in the afternoon! She passed July 4th. I can just imagine now that the four of them are together again that Heaven is in for some pretty funny times! I cannot get over that their funerals are the same day and they passed just days apart! I remember how mad Doris was when they moved and all the crazy animal stories she would share. Please know all of you hold a very special place in our hearts! Doris was never just a secretary she was a partner, a friend and an adopted family member! I won’t be able to attend her funeral but you know that J will be praying and sending all of my Love! Heaven just gained the very best people in the world! Doris was one great ping pong player! She was sharp witted and fast with cards. Doris turned around the Sugar Plum lunches with her wonderful chili! Oh, how I am going to miss them all but I am so happy they are free! No more time in bed! Their spirits longed for this freedom and now they are forever free and together. With my deepest empathy, sorrow and love, Gwen Freytag Zumalt
Loved your mom, Marla. Doris was so special! She was used to being counted on and she didn’t seem to mind. We’ll all miss her.
I feel lucky to belong to the Independence gang! I imagine it doesn’t happen in very many neighborhoods. Oh the laughs we had and the wonderful life we enjoyed together! All of the parents pulling together, helping each other however they could. We were all blessed! Love you and I have you in my thoughts and prayers.