Ernestine Faye Doss

Funeral services for Ernestine Faye Doss, 81, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Faith Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Ernestine Faye Doss went to her heavenly home on Friday, April 4, 2025.

She was born on April 27, 1943 at Gid, Arkansas to parents Thomas Jefferson (T.J.) and Addie Dell Bruce Adkisson. Her two brothers were given the honor of naming her. Her childhood was spent on Rose Trail among the Boston Mountains in Arkansas. Their house had no electricity or running water. Sometimes, it got so cold the water bucket froze and Addie would put the kids to bed with hot potatoes to help keep them warm. Her family grew corn and made molasses, had a few farm animals and sold cream, cut and sold cedar posts, and grew cotton to make a living. Everybody had to work. To supplement income, the family loaded in the back of a truck and rode to other places to pick cotton. Even as a small child, Ernestine helped. When she got tired, she laid on her mom’s cotton bag and napped as Addie dragged her along while continuing to pick. Later in life, the very mention of cotton made Ernestine cringe!  Ernestine attended school at Mt. Pleasant and Melbourne Schools in Arkansas. And yes, no matter the weather, she really did walk to school uphill both ways! On the early morning walks to school, she and her sister would leave the house before sun up, carrying a flashlight and their lunch pails; however, the dark wasn’t their main concern- it was the panthers who lived in the woods surrounding the path. In 1951, the family moved to West Plains, MO, for a brief time, then back to Lunenburg, AR, returning permanently to West Plains in 1955. Ernestine came from AR in the fifth grade and was smart for her age, but because of her size, the decision was made to put her in the fourth grade; otherwise, she would have graduated at age 16. Ernestine finished her school years in West Plains and graduated from high school with the Class of 1960.  Always having a mind for numbers, accuracy, and details, Ernestine spent her entire career in accounting. During her senior year of high school, she had enough credits to graduate early and, so, was allowed to do paper work at the Ag building. One day the West Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company called the school in hopes of finding a part-time bookkeeper. Ernestine was called to the office and offered the job. Her life almost took a different path; she had an opportunity to work for the FBI. She and a friend had taken an entrance test for clerical/typing skills. Both girls did well and almost headed to Washington DC. When the other girl dropped out, Ernestine didn’t want to go alone and declined the offer. Shortly after graduation, she was recruited by Mr. Edwin Smith to work for him at Smith Auto Parts. Fate stepped in, and unbeknownst to her, her future husband worked two doors down at West Plains Auto Parts. Donald Wayne Doss started to take notice as a cute, little dark-haired girl in a red skirt walked by his window every day. For weeks he watched as she passed on the way up Washington Avenue to the bank. Finally, he got up his courage and asked her out. After rejection at first, she finally said yes and they began dating in February 1961. The couple married on November 17, 1962 at the First Freewill Baptist Church in West Plains, MO, by her brother in law, Reverend Glenn Murray. It was the first church ceremony he’d ever performed.  Having had enough of hard farm life as a child, Ernestine never wanted to live on a farm again. She was not too happy in 1964 when Donald came home and announced he’d bought a farm! But living on love and faith, the couple moved to the farm anyway- the same farm where she lived until she drew her last breath.  Two children were born to the couple: Sherrie Lynn and Russell Wayne. Ernestine soon became a stay-at-home mom and spent her time raising and training the kids. She was happy to welcome in-laws, Mark Thompson and Sarah Worthy, into her family and treated them as her own. Having become a Christian at a very young age, she lived a devoted life. She was very active in church as a Sunday School teacher, and along with Donald, they were youth leaders for many years.  She had attended the Brockwell School of Music in Violet Hill, AR, as a child and learned to read music by shaped-notes; she served as the church pianist for over 25 years.  In 1984, Howell County Treasurer Max Burk called to ask if she would be interested in working part-time as a Deputy Treasurer. She agreed to go in and talk to Max. After chatting a few minutes, he told her to hang up her coat in the closet. She guessed that meant she had the job! That was the beginning of her career with Howell County. She worked for Max for 11 years until his retirement. Truell Harrison was then elected to the office and Ernestine continued as Deputy Treasurer until his passing in 2007. At that time, she was appointed by Gov Matt Blunt to fill the position. She then ran for the office of treasurer two times and was elected to serve Howell County until her retirement at the end of 2014, ending her 30 year career with the county.  This gave Ernestine more time to enjoy her four grandkids: Sawyer, Mason, Andy and Kasey. She enjoyed watching them grow up and being a steady in their lives.  She was fortunate enough to see all four of her grandchildren choose their spouse, and she again loved them as her own. She had announced her hopes and wishes to see great grandchildren someday before she died and God honored that wish. In 2022, Charlotte (Charlie) Lynn Thompson was born. She was Grandma Ernestine’s pride and joy. We only wish she’d lived long enough to meet her great-grandson Wayne Bradley Eden and soon to be born – Camryn Layn Thompson and Baby Doss.

Ernestine is proceeded in death by her parents, her in laws Alvin and Opal Doss. Three brothers- Ernest Adkisson, infant Junior Ardell Adkisson, and Shelby Amos Adkisson. One sister- Rachel Murray and brother in law Reverend Glenn Murray.

She is survived by her husband Donald, one daughter Sherrie Thompson and husband Mark and one son Russell (Rusty) Doss and wife Sarah. Four grandchildren: Sawyer Thompson and wife Quencie, Mason Thompson and wife Morgan, Andrew (Andy) Doss and wife Kendra and Kasey Eden and husband Dwight. Two great-grandchildren: Charlotte (Charlie) Thompson, Wayne Eden, and soon to be born Camryn Thompson and Baby Doss. Two sister-in-laws: Eudene and Evonna Adkisson. She was blessed to have wonderful caregivers Holly Isom, Becky Bruton, Janice Adkisson, Shellie Langley, Debbie Tollennaar and May Schmitt. She also leaves behind many wonderful family and friends with the hopes of seeing you all again in Heaven someday; she loved you all.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m., Sunday, at Faith Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.  Mrs. Doss will lie in state from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Saturday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Barnett Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Barnett Cemetery or Alzheimer’s Association, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri