Our American Family - Person Sheet
Our American Family - Person Sheet
NameDonald Raymond ROOT 
19
19Birth Date10 May 1920361
Birth PlaceEl Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri
Death Date1 Jul 199721 Age: 77
Death PlaceEl Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri
Burial PlaceEl Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri, El Dorado Springs Cemetery
OccupationWWII Sailor,
FatherCharles Harley “Charley” ROOT (1884-1958)
MotherLula Myrtle RYAN (1888-1951)
Spouses
Birth Date13 Dec 1921
Birth PlaceCedar County, Missouri
Death Date5 Dec 2016 Age: 94
Burial PlaceLawson, Ray County, Missouri, Old Union Cemetery
Family ID292
ChildrenRobert Frank (Died as Infant) (1942-1942)
Birth Date?
Family ID769
Marr Date194621
Birth Date30 Jun 1922
Birth PlaceMissouri
Death Date30 Dec 1985 Age: 63
Death PlaceEl Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri
Burial Date2 Jan 1985
Burial PlaceEl Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri, El Dorado Springs Cemetery
Family ID293
Family ID779
Marr Date19 Jul 198621
Research notes for Donald Raymond ROOT
Census: 1930, Drum Creek Montgomery Co, KS age 9. in school.21
Notes for Eula Bernice (Spouse 1)
Dec. 13, 1921-Dec. 5, 2016
Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Bland-Hackleman Chapel, El Dorado Springs. Burial: Old Union Cemetery.
Eula Bernice Elliott Estes Neely Root, 95, was born to Charles Edward “Edd” Elliott and Neva Bernice Jones on the old Griffith place south of El Dorado Springs, just after midnight Dec. 13, 1921. She left this life Monday, Dec. 5, just eight days short of her 95th birthday, the same way she lived it, with great dignity, grace and spirit.
To the end of her life she retained a childlike curiosity, seeing menageries in the clouds and wondering where the next road would lead. She instilled a strong sense of responsibility in her children, along with a passion for reading and learning and exploring.
She is survived by her son Robert “Bob” Estes and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bernice nursed three husbands through sickness and death. The children of her first marriage to Lecil Ernest Estes were Karen Lee Estes Harris, born 1943, and who passed away in 1966; and Bob Estes, born 1947, who splits his time between the family farm near Caplinger Mills and archaeology work in New Mexico. Lecil died of cancer in 1975. She later married Evan Neely and then Donald Root, both of whom she survived. Her younger sister, Margaret Elizabeth Elliott Barnes, preceded her in death in July 2012.
Bernice was an inquisitive, imaginative and musical child, giving her first performance before age 3, singing and whistling at a rural school program. She couldn’t remember not being able to whistle. As related in Gleanings, her book of memoirs, her whistling made the grandmothers uneasy. They said a whistling girl and a crowing hen always come to some bad end. Later she and Margaret entertained family, friends and church fellows by singing and playing the piano. She belonged to a band and entertained at the local nursing home as long as she was able — well into her 80s.
Her father, Edd, was a much-loved Missionary Baptist preacher who ministered locally and in the western states. She always related how she was saved Aug. 3, 1938, at Hazel Dell Church after a long search for God. With a contrite heart and in a moment of discouragement, she was saved while the congregation was singing “Amazing Grace.” She was a long-time member of the Old Union Missionary Baptist Church where she will be interred in the church cemetery, alongside first husband Lecil and daughter Karen.
As salutatorian of her senior class, Bernice earned a scholarship to business school in Springfield, but times were hard and her mother was not well, so she stayed home and took care of family responsibilities. During World War II, she married Lecil and reared a family on their farm near Caplinger Mills, but she dreamed of becoming a nurse. When Cedar County Memorial Hospital opened in 1960 she became a nurse’s aide, then went on to become an LPN. She subsequently served 13 years as school nurse for the El Dorado Springs School District, where she became popular due to her caring attention of the students, many of whom became her friends and helpers for the rest of her life. During her career she also was office nurse for doctors Stewart and Magee, and she was Dr. Casey’s first office nurse upon his graduation from medical school. From 1978-98 she served as vice president of the board of trustees at the hospital where she had begun her nursing career.
In her late 70s, she became interested in computers and their exciting possibilities. She joined the local writer’s club and completed several installments of her childhood memories she added to her website. She then incorporated those into her book, Gleanings, of which she was very proud. She also enjoyed writing poetry.
Bernice suffered a stroke in June 2012, limiting her activities. Luckily, she retained her lifetime of memories and Bob spent many hours recording them. She was a caring person who was loved by everyone and who touched many lives. She died peacefully at her home with family and friends, and will be sorely missed throughout the community. Velda Pitts is to be lauded for giving up a year and a half of her life to provide constant home care during final times.
Services were officiated by Brothers Ralph Benham and Lynn Williams. Music was provided by Karen Pate and Becky Gazaway. Bro. Keith Irvin officiated at the interment under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Joe Barger, Jerry Barnes, Ellis Benham, Jeff Hughes, Tom Taylor, Jack Pate, Dane Perry and Mark Pinkman. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Barnes, Dr. Rick Casey, Ron Elliott, Jerald Jones, Mike Payne, Lawrence Pinkman and Tony Smith
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Old Union Cemetery and left at the funeral home.
On Find A Grave.
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Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Bland-Hackleman Chapel, El Dorado Springs. Burial: Old Union Cemetery.
Eula Bernice Elliott Estes Neely Root, 95, was born to Charles Edward “Edd” Elliott and Neva Bernice Jones on the old Griffith place south of El Dorado Springs, just after midnight Dec. 13, 1921. She left this life Monday, Dec. 5, just eight days short of her 95th birthday, the same way she lived it, with great dignity, grace and spirit.
To the end of her life she retained a childlike curiosity, seeing menageries in the clouds and wondering where the next road would lead. She instilled a strong sense of responsibility in her children, along with a passion for reading and learning and exploring.
She is survived by her son Robert “Bob” Estes and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bernice nursed three husbands through sickness and death. The children of her first marriage to Lecil Ernest Estes were Karen Lee Estes Harris, born 1943, and who passed away in 1966; and Bob Estes, born 1947, who splits his time between the family farm near Caplinger Mills and archaeology work in New Mexico. Lecil died of cancer in 1975. She later married Evan Neely and then Donald Root, both of whom she survived. Her younger sister, Margaret Elizabeth Elliott Barnes, preceded her in death in July 2012.
Bernice was an inquisitive, imaginative and musical child, giving her first performance before age 3, singing and whistling at a rural school program. She couldn’t remember not being able to whistle. As related in Gleanings, her book of memoirs, her whistling made the grandmothers uneasy. They said a whistling girl and a crowing hen always come to some bad end. Later she and Margaret entertained family, friends and church fellows by singing and playing the piano. She belonged to a band and entertained at the local nursing home as long as she was able — well into her 80s.
Her father, Edd, was a much-loved Missionary Baptist preacher who ministered locally and in the western states. She always related how she was saved Aug. 3, 1938, at Hazel Dell Church after a long search for God. With a contrite heart and in a moment of discouragement, she was saved while the congregation was singing “Amazing Grace.” She was a long-time member of the Old Union Missionary Baptist Church where she will be interred in the church cemetery, alongside first husband Lecil and daughter Karen.
As salutatorian of her senior class, Bernice earned a scholarship to business school in Springfield, but times were hard and her mother was not well, so she stayed home and took care of family responsibilities. During World War II, she married Lecil and reared a family on their farm near Caplinger Mills, but she dreamed of becoming a nurse. When Cedar County Memorial Hospital opened in 1960 she became a nurse’s aide, then went on to become an LPN. She subsequently served 13 years as school nurse for the El Dorado Springs School District, where she became popular due to her caring attention of the students, many of whom became her friends and helpers for the rest of her life. During her career she also was office nurse for doctors Stewart and Magee, and she was Dr. Casey’s first office nurse upon his graduation from medical school. From 1978-98 she served as vice president of the board of trustees at the hospital where she had begun her nursing career.
In her late 70s, she became interested in computers and their exciting possibilities. She joined the local writer’s club and completed several installments of her childhood memories she added to her website. She then incorporated those into her book, Gleanings, of which she was very proud. She also enjoyed writing poetry.
Bernice suffered a stroke in June 2012, limiting her activities. Luckily, she retained her lifetime of memories and Bob spent many hours recording them. She was a caring person who was loved by everyone and who touched many lives. She died peacefully at her home with family and friends, and will be sorely missed throughout the community. Velda Pitts is to be lauded for giving up a year and a half of her life to provide constant home care during final times.
Services were officiated by Brothers Ralph Benham and Lynn Williams. Music was provided by Karen Pate and Becky Gazaway. Bro. Keith Irvin officiated at the interment under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Joe Barger, Jerry Barnes, Ellis Benham, Jeff Hughes, Tom Taylor, Jack Pate, Dane Perry and Mark Pinkman. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Barnes, Dr. Rick Casey, Ron Elliott, Jerald Jones, Mike Payne, Lawrence Pinkman and Tony Smith
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Old Union Cemetery and left at the funeral home.
On Find A Grave.
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