Doris Marie Abel

Doris M. Abel, age 92, of Belle passed away Sunday, September 5, 2021, at the General Baptist Nursing Facility in Linn.

Doris was born July 31, 1929, in Belle, a daughter to the late Jesse and Edith (Wallace) Birdsong.

On August 28, 1949, she was united in marriage to Terry Abel in Belle. Terry survives of their home in Belle.

Doris was a lifelong Belle resident and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church. She was a 1947 graduate of Belle High School and Valedictorian of her class. She went on to receive her Associates Degree from William Woods University in Fulton in 1949 and later received her teaching certificate from Lincoln University.

Doris taught at Belle High School for 29 years, teaching many different grades and many different classes. She was very dedicated to her work and the children she taught. Together with Terry, they ran the ABC store in Belle for 67 years until a fire took it from them. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Most of all she loved spending time with her family. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy. She will be missed tremendously by her family, church, and community.

In addition to her husband, Terry, Doris is survived by: one daughter, Terra Sue Abel of Jefferson City; one son, Ty Abel and his wife Beverly of Belle; six grandchildren, Sonya Hance and her husband Arthur, Sara Clime and her husband Craig, Emily Kempker and her husband Darrin, Tori Snitker and her husband Shannon, Shay Abel and his wife Victoria, and Kaci Jones and her husband Gavin; twelve great-grandchildren, Arthur Lee Hance and his wife Jordan, Mallory Siegler and her husband Logan, Catelyne Hayes and her husband Colin, Cade Snitker, Connor Clime, Edie Kempker, T.J. Clime, Kylea Kempker, Lydia Jones, Chloe Jones, Landri Abel, and Harrison Abel; and six great-great-grandchildren, Brooks Hance, Blair Siegler, Raylee Hance, Harlyn Siegler, Aspyn Siegler, and Charlee Hance as well as many extended family members and friends.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Glen Birdsong, and one sister Faye Turner.

Visitation for Doris will be on Friday, September 10, 2021, at the First Baptist Church in Belle from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the First Baptist Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. with Robert Trigo officiating. Interment will follow in the Liberty Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that expressions of sympathy be made to the Maries RII scholarship in Doris’s name.