Doris Wells

Doris Walker Wells age 94, was born July 19. 1915, in Fairfax, Missouri, and she passed away on May 15, 2010 in Wichita, KS. A graveside service will be held in Fairfax, MO at a later time. Doris was delivered by her grandfather Dr. J.A. Hunter, and was the second daughter born to Weaver and Zeta Walker. She and her sister, Loraine, were involved in the family farming operation at an early age. Doris gleefully would tell the story of delivering milk to local residents. Her father would milk the cows and bring the milk to town. She and Loraine would then take over. Doris drove the milk truck at age six, and her sister would take the milk to the customer’s back door. Doris graduated from high school in Fairfax, MO, and then continued her education at Tarkio College in Tarkio, MO. She enjoyed a very active social life as a young woman. Her diary entries for this time indicate that she never stayed home, always had a date, loved to dance and play bridge, and thought all the movies that she saw were ‘keen”. She always loved to travel, and went by herself on a cruise to Hawaii when she was in her early twenties. Doris and her daughter, Karen, made many road trips to California in her Buick convertible. They also enjoyed numerous train trips all over the United States. Doris and John Kenneth McClain were married in Alameda, CA in 1938. They lived in Tarkio, MO, where Johnny owned a Buick car dealership. They had one daughter, Karen. John McClain died at an early age in 1946. She married again in 1956. She and John E. Wells built a home in Fairfax, MO in 1957. John joined the family farming operation after their marriage, and continued with this work until his death in 2002. Doris was the administrator of the Fairfax Community Hospital for 36 years. She was the secretary to the administrator for one year when the hospital opened, and then took over the leadership position. The hospital grew and prospered under her guidance. After her retirement, she became very active in the Fairfax Presbyterian Church where she served in many different capacities. Doris and John took special delight in their grandchildren: Chris, Cory, and Matthew Combs. They spent a great deal of time together telling stories, playing cards, and having “eat-downs”. They took great pleasure in the boys’ accomplishments, and were supportive and loving grandparents. Doris moved to Wichita, KS, in 2007 in order to be closer to her daughter, Karen, and her son-in-law, J.C. Combs. They all enjoyed daily visits up to the time of Doris’ passing. Doris is survived by her daughter, Karen, and her son-in-law, J.C. Combs; her grandson Cory Combs, his wife Kayo Miki and their son, Henry, of Mill Valley, CA; her grandson Matthew Combs, his wife, Rachel, and their daughter Madeline, of Nashville, TN; her niece, Ann Hogue of Greenbrea, CA; her nephew, Robert Henderson of Pasadena, CA; and her great-nephew, Andrew Hogue of San Rafael, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Loraine, her first husband, John Kenneth McClain, her second husband, John Edward Wells, her first-born grandson Jason Christopher Combs, and by her adored “grand-dog” Snoopy. Doris was a gracious, kind, and accomplished woman. She touched the lives of many, and was grateful for the blessings that she received during her long life. She will remain in the hearts and minds of her family and of her many friends. Memorial to Community Hospital-Fairfax, PO Box 107, Fairfax, MO 64446 with a note designating the honoree.