Services for Dorcas Rackley, age 91, will be Friday, September 17, at the Gainesville Church of Christ with visitation at 9 a.m. and service at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the Smith Chapel Cemetery.

Dorcas Ann Farel Rackley died peacefully Sunday at 9 p.m. in Baxter Regional Medical Center due to complications of congestive heart failure. She had been surrounded by her five children, their spouses, and several grandchildren.

She was born December 10, 1929, to J. L. (Bug) and Grace Marie (Garrett) Farel in Elijah, Missouri. She had one older brother Aubrey and a first cousin Jurhee, who was considered a sister. Donald and Dorcas attended different one-room schools, but a decision by Bug Farel to buy a vehicle to use as a school bus so Dorcas could attend high school in Gainesville was pivotal. Bug would pick up students along the way. When Dorcas was a sophomore and Donald a senior, they had their first date, and Dorcas started saving a seat on the Bug's bus for Donald. She graduated from Gainesville High School in 1947.

Dorcas married Donald Lee Rackley on August 30, 1947, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. They were blessed with five children. They celebrated their 65 ^th wedding anniversary in 2012 before Donald died on April 29, 2013. They had the opportunity to travel abroad with friends and business associates. They took cruises with the Pace, Sims, Johnson, Wallace, and Murphy couples, who were all school friends and church friends. One of their favorite trips was to the Holy Land. Donald and Dorcas enjoyed playing golf, cards, and games with friends. They especially enjoyed spending winters in Phoenix, Arizona for several years where they made many good friends.

She was primarily a homemaker—a home that was always welcoming to visitors. She was most happy when her home was filled with relatives and friends. Because her mother died when she was only 25, the responsibility of family gatherings came early. The Rackley home was always available for their class reunions, family reunions, their children's friends, and visiting preachers. She loved preparing family lunches after church on Sundays, where there could be from 10-40 in attendance. She worked for her parents at Bug's Café in Gainesville before and early in her marriage. Later she worked for Amyx Auto Company in the office. For five years she managed the Dairy Princess in Gainesville they owned with Jolly and Anna Mae Pace where she made homemade coney sauce for hot dogs.

Dorcas was a great cook, known for her pies, cakes, jello salads, roast beef dinners, chicken casseroles, and "john ben getty" casserole which she frequently took to church basket dinners. Any time food was requested for an event, Dorcas volunteered. This included treats for school parties, church basket dinners, pie suppers, Hootin an Hollarin "dinners on the ground" and cake walks. When the Lions Club started their annual fundraising auction, she donated homemade braided bread, which always brought fierce bidding.

She was a faithful Christian and member of the Gainesville Church of Christ. She taught Bible school classes, ladies' classes, organized homemade cookies and kool-aid for VBS every year, supported Donald when he served as a deacon and elder, drove members who needed rides to doctors' appointments, and always delivered food to families after hospitalizations and death.

Dorcas was a 50-year member of Chapter JP P.E.O. She loved the organization and attended every meeting she could and served as an officer.

For the past four years Dorcas has been a resident of the Gainesville Healthcare Center. She loved visiting with friends and staff. Her favorite activities were playing dominoes and bingo. She made sure other residents were encouraged when needed. She was always interested in knowing the staff members and their families and loved showing them her family pictures and her rooster collection.

Dorcas is survived by her 5 children, 15 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren with 3 more due by November. Her mind was so sharp she could name all her descendants and their birthdays. She was a wonderful mother, grandma, and mimi. There is a picture of her holding every grandchild and all the "greats". She is also survived by many other relatives and dear friends.

Daughter Barbara is married to Don Luna of Gainesville; their children and grandchildren are Jason and Lora Luna, parents of children Josh who was married to Mercedes (she died in May) and Anna, all of Strafford, and Jennifer and Andy Thompson, parents of Sam and Jack, all of Prairie Village, Kansas.

Daughter Kay was married to Bob Young, who died in January, of Gainesville; their children and grandchildren are Joe Young of Conway, Arkansas; Melinda and John Abraham of Gainesville, parents of Alyssa and Andrew Eller of North Little Rock, Matt (deceased), Dylan, and Rebecca (Johnson) and Cayce Gosdin of Gainesville; Angie and Brian Calvert of Harrison, parents of Gage and Christi of Newalla, Oklahoma, who are parents of Scarlett and Clark, and Grant of Harrison; Hope and Corey Hillhouse of Gainesville, parents of Lauren and Logan.

Daughter Patty is married to Rex Donley of Gainesville; their children and grandchildren are Karen and Donnie Cunningham, parents of Sara and Shane Suter who are parents of Corbin and Ellis; Bailey, and Garrett, all of Thornfield; Sue and Scott Deroo, parents of Dawson and fiancée Maya Saffle, Jon, Conner, Ryan, and Kali, all of Forsyth; Cindy and Geoff Petter, parents of Austin and Madison of Carl Junction; John and Sarah Donley of Gainesville who are parents of Addie; Jim and Lydia Donley of Gainesville who are parents of Rilynn, Kimber, and Bryndle.

Daughter Peggy is married to Doyle Johnson of Pontiac; their children and grandchildren are Julie and Jason Schofield of Gainesville who are parents of Chase and Gannon; Will and Sami Johnson of Gainesville who are parents of Maylee.

Son Steve and Jenny Rackley of Nixa who are parents of Treydon and Aleksei Rackley of Springfield and Trent of Savannah, Georgia.

Mike Mallow, friend of Steve, lived with the Rackley family during high school. His children are Steven and Kaitlin Mallow who are parents of Selah and Zeke, and Lauren Mallow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the cemetery, Matt Abraham Memorial Scholarship Fund, GHS Alumni Scholarship/Rex Ebrite Scholarship Fund, or Fair Haven Children's Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.