Dorothy Louise Speer, 88, of Strafford, Missouri, formerly of Carthage, Illinois, passed away September 3, 2025 in Strafford, MO. Dorothy was born July 27, 1937 in Carthage, Illinois to Raymond Pitt and Edna Lou Roper Pitt. She married Harley Speer January 1, 1958 in Plymouth, Illinois.

As a teenager, Dorothy worked part-time as the telephone switchboard operator in Elvaston, Illinois and it was in this capacity she met her future husband. Before they married she began working at Whiz Mow in Hamilton, Illinois where she worked until she became a mother. For a short time in the 70’s she was a receptionist for Doctors Coeur and Korte at Carthage Ambulatory Clinic. She and her sister Jean also hung wallpaper in the Carthage area. Many homes have walls signed by the two of them, marking their work. From 1977 – 1987 she worked as a teller at Marine Bank in Carthage.

Dorothy was a wonderful mother and friend, who devoted her time to her home, family and church. She was a member of the Assemblies of God and actively served the church as a Sunday School teacher, worship leader, woman’s ministries president, girl’s club sponsor and senior’s group coordinator, all the while hosting virtually every traveling evangelist at a meal, directing several Christmas programs, baking for every potluck or funeral dinner, taking kids to church camp, attending family camp and teaching her kids by example to love Jesus and work for Him.

Dorothy was a seamstress who sewed for her children in their younger years and quilted after her family was raised. She also enjoyed reading, traveling and her family, of which she was very proud.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, her sisters Betty Pfeiferling and Jeannie Able Bentley and her son-in-law Kevin Picklesimer.

Surviving are her children Debbie (Bill) Ayres, Strafford, MO, Martha (Brad) Graul, Miami, OK, Sarah Picklesimer, Sanford, FL, Sam (Glenda) Speer, Lawton, OK and Rachel (Andy) Semple, Strafford, MO, her grandchildren Nathan Ayres, Springwater, NY, Andrew (Nina) Ayres, Brighton, MO, Hannah (Angelo) Rubino, Springfield, MO, Kate (Justin) Foster, Providence Village, TX, Maggie (Justin) Cordova, Rockville, MD, Alan Graul, Camp Hovey, Korea, Naomi Picklesimer, Deltona, FL, Anna Picklesimer, Deltona, FL, Vanessa (Creston) Moore, Sayre, OK, Amanda (Seth) Carper, Hanoi, Vietnam, Samantha (Steven) Benitez, Lawton, OK, Caleb (Chloe) Semple, Republic, MO, Jacob Semple, Strafford, MO and Reuben Semple, Strafford, MO and great grandchildren, Eliana, Gideon and Myah Ayres, Lincoln Foster, Jessika, Aslin, Blian and Lydia Ayres, Julia Moore (expected any day), Josephine and newborn twins Theodore and Penelope Cordova, Emelia Carper and Liam Benitez.

A service will be held Saturday, September 13th at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior at Greenlawn (North) Funeral Home in Springfield, MO. Memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice – Bolivar.