LOIS ARLENE (SMITH) DEVORE 

Lois Arlene (Smith) DeVore was born in rural Purdin, Linn Co, MO, on December 21, 1933, to Erwin Mann and Sarah Frances (Riedle) Smith. 

She died September 11, 2024, in Kirksville, Adair Co, MO. 

She attended schools at Prairie Seminary, rural Purdin; Shelby; and Browning. 

Arlene married Neil Edwin DeVore on October 8, 1950, and they celebrated 64 years together before he died in 2015. 

Arlene found herself as a military wife in Missouri with an infant while Neil served the U.S. Army in Korea during 1952-1953. Many letters were written and received during this difficult time. Neil and Arlene moved to Newton, Iowa, after his return from war. They moved back to their beloved farm near Purdin, Missouri, in 1967. 

Arlene worked many years at the Bank of Brookfield-Purdin, advancing to Vice President. She loved assisting her community through her work at the bank. She volunteered her bookkeeping skills at the Browning Baptist Church where she served as Treasurer for many years. She was an active member of the General John Sullivan Chapter, NSDAR; serving as Chapter Treasurer for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Browning. Her example of serving others was evident to all who knew her. She was so loved by her family. 

Surviving Arlene: 

Children – Michael Edwin DeVore (Debbie), Pleasant Hill; Joyce Ann Long (Steven), Ashland; (twins) Denise Arlene Gray (Gary), Purdin; and Dennis Allen DeVore, Odenton MD. 

Grandchildren – Robert Edwin DeVore (Tasha), Woodland Park CO; Eric Allen DeVore (Carole), Oak Grove; Christopher Michael DeVore (Kendall), Raytown; Felicia Lynn Mitchell, Independence; Anthony George Long, Springfield; Rachel Ann Neil (Matthew), St. Joseph; Brandy Lynn Gray (Jared Kehr), Meadville; Rebecca Denise Cordray (Chad), Columbia; and Jerad Bradley Gray (Nina), Browning. 

Great Grandchildren – 25 

Great-Great Grandchildren – 3 

Preceding her in death: 

Brothers – Erwin Eugene Smith, Gerald Wayne Smith, and William (Billy) Anton Smith 

Grandson – infant Michael Allen DeVore 

Great Grandson – Austin Cole Brummitt 

Great Granddaughter – infant Nevaeh Dawn DeVore. 

Funeral services were held Friday, September 13, 2024 at Wright Funeral Home in Brookfield, Missouri, with Dr. Steven Long officiating. 

Burial followed in the Purdin Cemetery in Purdin. 

Memorials to Purdin Cemetery may be left at or mailed to Wright Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.