Doris Luraney Hunt Patillo, 98
Graveside services for Doris Luraney Hunt Patillo, 98, of West Plains, were held Nov. 13, 2021, at Fowler Cemetery. Mrs. Patillo died Nov. 9 at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains.
She was born Sept. 19, 1923, at Sycamore, the daughter of Samuel Huston Hunt and Esta Purvania Bushong Hunt. On Dec. 24, 1940, in Willow Springs, she married Eugene Hayden Patillo (who was born at Dawn on Aug. 29, 1920). Doris was brought to Caulfield by her parents in 1924, when the area was known as Brady. Her father, Samuel Hunt, and his brother, Rob Hunt, started Hunt Brothers Store. A post office was established in 1929. Samuel was commissioned postmaster, and the area became known as Caulfield, named after the governor, Henry Stewart Caulfield. Doris’ father remained in the grocery store and post office for 21 years.
In 1944 and 1945, while her husband was serving in the United States Army during World War II, Doris worked in her brother Terry Bradford Hunt’s general grocery in Galena. After the war, she and her husband bought the store in Caulfield, and it became Patillo Grocery. In 1954, Eugene was appointed postmaster. On Aug. 15, 1953, Doris took the oath of office, and for the next 27 years, she actively finished her career in the Patillo Grocery, service station and post office. She also helped on the family beef cattle farm.
She is survived by one son, Billy Gene Patillo and wife Patsy Ruth Bell Patillo of West Plains; one daughter-in-law, Randee Carol Smith Patillo of Willard; three grandchildren, Richard Gene Patillo and wife Amy Rachel Hensley Patillo of Verona, Chris Allan Patillo and wife Joanna Rachel Bogle Patillo of West Plains, and Douglas Wayne Patillo and wife Christina Kay Grabber Patillo of Willard; one granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer Yvette Reid Patillo of Willard; 10 great-grandchildren, Boston Gene and Adeline Marlee Patillo of Verona, Kaley Jo and Hattie Jean Patillo of West Plains, Jackson Hunter Patillo and wife Bailey Meagan Kram Patillo of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Brody Scott Patillo of Santa Barbara, California, and Savanna McCall Patillo, Chadley Olivia Patillo, Ariana Nicole Patillo, and Megan Grace Patillo, all of Willard; and several nieces and nephews who were very near and dear.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Eugene, who died July 8, 2011; two brothers, Teddy Bradford Hunt (1900-1962) and Lewis Benton Hunt (1914-1959); one son, Jackie Don (1948-2014); and one grandson, David Bryan Patillo (1968-2021).
Memorial contributions may be made to Fowler Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at robertsondrago.com.
Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, directors.