Dortha Dean Pugh Eubanks, 93, of Columbia, Missouri, went home to be with Jesus on June 19, 2022. She was born in the township of Riggs, Boone County, Missouri, on August 1, 1928. Dortha was the youngest of eleven children. She was the first of her family to graduate from high school, graduating from David H. Hickman High School in 1947. Right out of high school, Dortha landed a secretarial position with the University of Missouri Purchasing Office; but, it was while working at the Dorn-Cloney Laundry that she would meet the love of her life and future husband, Robert (Bob) Eugene Eubanks. “There he was,” Dortha said, “he came around the corner, really handsome, so good-looking . . . I was smitten!” They were married on June 27, 1947 in Ashland, Missouri.
Dortha worked as a pastor’s secretary at Memorial Baptist Church for 26 years. She was a member of the National Southern Baptist Secretaries Association. She never met a stranger because she loved people. She was always ready to serves others. Dortha also sang in the church choir and some of her closest friends were her prayer group. She was a den mother, girl scout leader, and room mother in her children’s elementary school. She loved her children, but she adored her grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren so much and she couldn’t wait to spend time with them. Dortha was also a talented seamstress. She made bridesmaids dresses for both of her son’s weddings, and she made flower girl dresses for her daughter to wear in several weddings. She enjoyed making attire for her daughter.
After retiring as the pastor’s secretary at Memorial she returned as financial secretary for 14 more years. For her 25th anniversary working at the church, the church gave her a trip to Japan to see her daughter. This was the first time she left the country. Through the church she got to travel and see the world. She visited Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Holland and Switzerland. She loved traveling and meeting people!
Dortha is survived by two sons, Kenneth Mark Eubanks (Karen Kay Knipp Eubanks) of Columbia, MO; James Daniel Eubanks (Debra Ann Hunt Eubanks) of London, KY; one daughter, Carol Ann Eubanks Dwyer Adams (Jimmie Ray Adams) of Nixa, MO; three grandchildren, Megan Elizabeth Eubanks Wessels (Justin David Wessels) of Minneapolis, MN; Gara Daniel Eubanks (Lindsey Kathleen Elza Eubanks) of London, KY; Christina Marie Eubanks of Jefferson City, MO; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dortha was preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob) Eugene Eubanks; father, Henry Hazzard Pugh; mother Cora Evelyn Stover Pugh; siblings, Roy Buford Pugh, Othie Darwin Pugh, Jesse Lee Pugh, Alline Mable Pugh Olver, Viola Betrice Pugh Diel, Cora Evelyn Pugh, Charles Henry Pugh, James Oren Pugh, Archie Ray Pugh and Ruby Pearl Pugh.
Family and friends may gather for an open casket visitation on Thursday, June 23 at Memorial Baptist Church at 1634 Paris Road in Columbia from noon to 2:00 pm. A funeral service officiated by Rev. Randy Schilb will immediately follow. Dortha will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery with a committal service taking place at 3:00 pm.
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