Doris Jean (Crosby) Headley, a resident of Blue Springs, Missouri, was born on August 12, 1931 in Ashland, Kansas and passed away on December 26, 2019 at the age of 88 in the Benton House in Blue Springs. Services will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Royer Funeral Home in Grain Valley, MO. Visitation will be from 1-2pm, service at 2pm with burial immediately following in Valley Memorial Gardens, Grain Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Della Lamb Community Services, Kansas City, Mo.
Doris was the second child of Ray Crosby and Fanny (Smith) Crosby and grew up in a home filled with love along with her three sisters and one brother. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Virginia (Don) Lamberson and Phyllis (Vernon) McMinimy, and an infant brother Richard. Doris is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dr. Marvin Headley, one sister Ruth (John) Amos, one brother Don (Marlene) Crosby, three children Lynn (Rich) Prine, Russ (Vicki) Headley and Eric (Tricia) Headley along with nine grandchildren Aaron (Ali) Headley, Jordan (Robert) Garside, Hayley Prine, Ian Headley, Makenna Headley, Mia Headley, Meisi Headley, Courtney (Tim) Brown, Amanda Prine, and five great grandchildren, Oliver Headley, Carter Brown, Kendall Brown, Hudson Brown and Lainey Brown.
Growing up, Doris loved the outdoors, riding horses, swimming in the city pool and surrounding lakes, bicycling around town, and playing with siblings and friends. Her love of nature, wildlife, and especially birds were close to her heart. She met her husband Marvin at The College of Emporia where they were both enrolled in a bird watching class. Doris received her Bachelor’s degree and Nursing degree and later earned a Masters of Education from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Mo.
Early in their marriage, Doris and Marvin enjoyed their time living in Berlin, Germany, while Marvin served his country in the U.S. Army. Their oldest child Lynn was born in Germany. They returned to pursue their careers in Neosho, Missouri in 1957.
Throughout her career, Doris taught Pediatric Nursing at Children’s Mercy Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, Missouri. Doris was also very active in her community and had a strong devotion to her church. She and Marvin are current members of Lee’s Summit First Presbyterian Church. She participated in various Women’s Clubs, taught Bible School, and spent many hours working with the elderly. Additionally she helped raise funds for needy children domestically and abroad and was instrumental in raising funds to build the Newton County Nursing Home in Neosho, Missouri.
After many years of assisting her husband in his responsibilities as Superintendent of Schools at various Missouri districts, Doris and Marvin retired together in Blue Springs, Missouri. She continued to pursue her love of bird watching, serving her community and church through volunteering and following the lives of her children and grandchildren. Doris will be greatly missed and remembered by her loving family and host of friends.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441