Evelyn Dorris

(From Parker Mortuary)

Billie ‘Evelyn’ Belk Dorris, age 71, Joplin, passed away at 9:22 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at her residence after a short illness.

Evelyn was born July 6, 1943 in Paris, Kentucky to the late Raymond Belk and Elsie E. Bennett.

She worked at the old Freeman Hospital in Webb City as an RN for several years. She then moved to Hunstville, Texas and worked for 12 years as a corrections officer for the State of Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the Texas State Penitentiary. Evelyn moved to Dallas and worked in several security positions until she moved to Joplin in 2010 and continued her security position until forced to retire due to health.

She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She was an exceptional singer and even twirled at a young age. Evelyn attended Saginaw Baptist Church.

Evelyn was married to Gary Dorris, Sr. on May 25, 1961. They enjoyed 25 years together. He survives in Miami, Oklahoma.

Additional survivors include her children, Debbie Balestrin and her husband, Gregg, Joplin, Gary Dorris, Jr. and his wife, Leeann, Carl Junction, Randy Dorris and his wife, Cheryl, Carthage, Jeff Dorris and his wife, Kim, Carthage, Denise Brisco and her husband, Dennis, Joplin, and April Sidenstricker of Bend, Oregan; siblings, Jim Belk and his wife, Kathy, Urich, Missouri, Gene Puckett, Webb City, Adrian Puckett and his wife, Barbara, Joplin, Patsy Bandy, Bend, Oregon, Barbara Games, Bend, Oregon; grandchildren, Travis, Amber, Ashley, Autumn, Ashton, Lacy, Colten, Dustin, Dylan, Brittany; great grandchildren, Brianna, Aiyana, Amariella, Addisyon, Tanner, Raquel, Dade, Nicholas, Gracyn, Emily, Larrissa, Laney, Whyatt, Haydon; and several extended family members, including nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services are planned for Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Saginaw Baptist Church. Rev. Glenn Stark will officiate. Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dustin Dorris, Dylan Dorris, Travis Delzell, Colten Balestrin, Gregg Balestrin, Gary Dorris, Jr. and Randy Dorris. The family will receive friends Monday from 7-8:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel.

Special thank you to her sisters, Barbara and Patsy plus Dr. Matt Miller and staff of Freeman Cancer Institue.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.