Dorothy Faye McConnell

Dorothy Faye McConnell, age 90, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away on October 21, 2025. She was born on January 26, 1935, to Basil and Edith (Wolfe) Ford.

Dorothy was born in Protem, Missouri, where she lived for a few years before moving to Texas for a short time, and then making the move to Nixa, where she resided for the remainder of her life. Dorothy was a graduate of Nixa High School in 1952 where she met her forever love, Tommy, and they were married in 1957. Together, they spent the next 50 years living in the same house they moved into the night they got married.

Dorothy attended Draughon’s Business College and worked in a variety of positions where she always enjoyed bookkeeping duties. She enjoyed many years working at Nixa Bank, and later at Metropolitan Bank. Dorothy enjoyed the banking duties, but more so the enjoyment of helping the customers of the bank and being a community representative. In a recent conversation Dorothy and her sister Judy had, Judy asked Dorothy what she was going to be doing when she got to Heaven. Dorothy told her that she wanted to work at a bank, but no longer as a teller, only the bookkeeping duties.

Dorothy shared a love for her grandson, Hunter, that was second to none. He was truly the focal point of her life after losing Tommy in 2007. From golf cart rides across the farm to taking Hunter to many activities and eating their favorite Chinese food seemingly on a daily basis. It didn’t matter what they did, as long as she was spending time with Hunter, she was happy.

For many years, there was a common reference of “Tommy, Dorothy, and Chad.” Dorothy and Tommy were married 16 years before Chad arrived, which was probably a bit of a surprise, and maybe even shock. But from that point forward, they were inseparable. Chad not only had two parents but also had two best friends for the entirety of their life. Farming, camping, fish fries, church, and too many adventures to even start.

After Tommy’s passing, Chad and Dorothy continued making memories. Chad would call Dorothy and tell her to get ready, and Dorothy would be waiting with her step stool to crawl in the truck and not ask where they were going, but would just enjoy the time. The memories will forever be cherished and greatly missed. But the thankfulness will live forever.

In something that can only be described as the handiwork of Dorothy’s Lord and Savior, she passed while listening to her favorite Alan Jackson hymns, and specifically the hymn that started playing when Chad watched the last breath that his mom took, “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven with You.” It was at this time that Chad knew Dorothy was in the presence of Heaven, and in what Dorothy had longed for since 2007, she was reunited with Tommy, and they will forever be together in their Heavenly home, never to be apart again.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Chad (Rachel Crawford) McConnell; her sister, Judy (Bill) Galloway — who is a very special brother-in-law; and her grandson, Hunter (Ciara Davolt) McConnell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence “Tommy” McConnell, and her brother, Emory Ford.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 23, 2025, at McConnell Cemetery, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with Chaplain Steve Martin officiating.