Dodie Shields

(From Clark Funeral Home)

On Sunday, March 13th, 2022, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and best friend, Dodie Lynn Shields (née Owen), of Neosho MO, passed away at the age of 62.

Dodie was born to Harold and Ann Owen in Tucumcari, New Mexico. In 1974, Harold and Ann moved to Seligman, Missouri with their two young daughters. Dodie and Toni grew up together, attending the same schools and experiencing the same joys and ills of growing up in a small, rural community; forging an unbreakable sisterly bond that brought them support and comfort throughout their lives.

On March 11th, 1978, Dodie began a new chapter in her life when she married Tommy Shields. Eager to start their new life together, Dodie arranged to complete her high school diploma remotely so that she could accompany Tommy to an assignment in Alexandria, Virginia. Her determination to be by his side would continue throughout their 44-year marriage. Dodie remained wholly devoted to supporting her beloved husband during many assignments, deployments, and moves to new homes. As they raised children, Dodie remained steadfastly focused on providing a loving and comfortable home for her family, and supporting them through the ups and downs of everyday life was her greatest satisfaction.

Dodie’s generous spirit was not limited to her family; she often went out of her way to help others. It was important to her that anyone needing help or just a friendly ear knew her doors were always open and she was happy to listen and offer advice. When her son’s soccer team needed a coach, she immediately stepped up and volunteered. When her husband was deployed, she actively participated in his unit’s Soldier & Family Readiness Group to ensure family members at home were supported and important information was communicated quickly. Dodie’s kindness, generosity, and willingness to help others will be sorely missed.

Dodie excelled at solving word puzzles, crocheting, and successfully growing an astonishing variety of both indoor and outdoor plants. She enjoyed playing video games and watching sports with her family, and she particularly enjoyed searching for mid-century modern furniture and art for her home with her daughter, Lori.

Dodie mourned the loss of family members who preceded her in death; her father Harold Owen, her sister Janice Carroll, her sister-in-law Johnie (Shields) Bailey, and three brothers-in-law, Rick Bailey, Will Wilson, and Steve Wilson.

Dodie is survived by the husband she so dearly loved, Tommy Shields; their children, Lori Shields, Thomas Shields, Lisa Shields, and their respective partners, James Powers, Bridget.

Burman, and Michael Grinko; her granddaughters, Alexis Shields and Laurel Mishevski; her beloved mother Ann Owen Street; her dearest sister and steadfast confidant, Toni (Owen) Wilson; her sister in law, Lynn (Shields) Wilson; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; countless members of extended family and friends who will miss her phone calls and Friday night card games; and finally, a vast and varied collection of beautiful houseplants that are always much admired by guests.

A celebration of Dodie’s life will be held at 10 am on Friday, March 18th, 2022, at Clark Funeral Home, located at 312 S. Wood St. Neosho, Missouri. Dodie rarely met a plant or flower that she didn’t love, or if you wish to honor Dodie’s life by donating to a cause that was important to her, you may donate to the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Research Foundation at https://www.edsrf.org/-