(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)
Sandra “Sonnie” Kay (Smith) Dooley
On Thursday, November 18, 2021, heaven welcomed a new angel. This little angel was born November 11, 1943, on a farm south of Pittsburg, Kansas to William “Bill” and Edith (Wiley) Smith. Her early years growing up were spent in Opolis, KS and later moved to Carl Junction, MO with her parents where she graduated Carl Junction High School in 1961.
Not only was she a loving second mom, but she was also a great friend to Gene’s three sons, Jim, Kevin, and David. She taught them to waterski, horseback ride (Dolly), and have fun!
Playing golf was a huge part of Sonnie and Gene’s life as they played famous courses nationally and internationally. She can now play her most heavenly round of golf with the love of her life. He has already scheduled tee-times!
Being a long-time member of Twin Hills Golf and County Club (joined in 1972), she was “all in” for serving on the board of various committees, decorating, helping to organize and plan golf tournaments.
Some of her memorable golf accolades included playing on Joplin’s Horton Smith Cup team from 1980-1990, being a four-time Twin Hills ladies champion, induction into the Joplin Golf Hall of Fame in 2009, and most recently into the Missouri Sports of Hall of Fame in 2021. As much as she loved playing the game, she also loved supporting anyone that wanted to learn the game, particularly Junior’s Golf.
She loved playing golf with all her golfing buddies and “the Blondies”. One of her favorite golfing trips was the annual summer trek with the girls to Colorado Springs to play in the Kissing Camels Tournament.
Bowling was also at the forefront of her activities. She participated in various bowling leagues and several local and national women’s tournaments. Many fun times were had traveling to Reno and Las Vegas with her sister Millie, niece Karen and other close friends.
Although golf and bowling were her primary sporting activities, she also loved attending the horseraces in Hot Springs, attending the KC theater, playing gin rummy with the girls, and getting lucky with scratch-off lottery tickets. Anything that spelled fun she was in!
There was nothing more important to her than her love of family. She enjoyed spending time with her sister, Millie, AKA her partner in crime, on their Run-Away days to Tulsa, Kansas City or wherever the day would take them. She loved nothing more than to share pictures and videos of her granddaughter, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins-her family was her pride and joy.
Fun fact about Sonnie was that she loved to watch western TV shows, particularly Gunsmoke. She loved being outside with the sounds of nature. She was fiercely independent and her positive outlook on life and determined can-do spirit were key factors to her successes.
In addition to her husband, Gene, Sonnie was preceded in death by her parents, William “Bill” Smith and Edith (Wiley) Smith; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Roy and Billie Dooley; son, David Dooley; brother, Carl Smith; sister, Wilma Davis; brothers-in-law, Francis Meyer, William Dickerson and Carl Davis.
She leaves behind sons, Jim Dooley and wife Kathleen of Webb City, Kevin Dooley of Bentonville, AR; granddaughter Audrey Greer and husband Ethan of Japan; great-grandchildren, Lavender Greer, Jonathon Greer, Theo Greer; sisters, Millie Dickerson of Joplin, Linda Gibson, and husband Ron of Webb City; sister-in-law, Shirley Smith of Neosho, along with numerous, much-loved nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Be content in the moment and always remember the happy days!
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2021 with a visitation at 1:00 pm, prior to service at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary.
There's a typo, it's Tuesday, November 23, 2021, not the 22nd.
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