Sue Mohler Dorsey Durrett Obituary

Sue Mohler Dorsey Durrett, 85, passed away unexpectedly on July 13th 2025 after an accident while gardening at her home of 52 years. This loss is especially difficult for friends and family who considered her a physical and cognitive marvel for her age.
Sue was born at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, MO on February 18th 1940, the second daughter of John Bruce and Loreen (Mohler) Dorsey. She had a wonderful childhood and teenage years growing up as the fourth generation on the Dorsey family farm at Stet, MO. She graduated from Stet High School, attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO and graduated with a BS in Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1961. At the University, she was a member and served as chapter president of Gamma Phi Beta social sorority and was a member of Pi Lambda Theta education honor society. Following graduation, she moved to the Country Club Plaza area of Kansas City to pursue her career teaching primary grades in the North Kansas City and Center school districts. She loved teaching and during this time completed her Master's degree in Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In Kansas City, she met Overton Durrett and they were married on December 30, 1966, in Columbia MO, the beginning of a wonderful relationship spanning 57 years. They continued to live in the Plaza area all of their married life.
On April 6th 1968, their son, John Dorsey Durrett was born in Kansas City, MO. Even though she chose to leave her career in education, Sue truly enjoyed all the duties and responsibilities of being a wife and mother. She always said she liked to "play house" as a child and she liked to "keep house" as an adult. She happily participated in all of the parental activities such as PTA, parent associations, sports mom, scouts, etc. She was a long time member of Community Christian Church where she served as a member of the diaconate, an elder and moderator of the church board as well as numerous committees and campaigns. The church will be honoring her years of service by lighting its dazzling Steeple of Light starting August 14th in her memory. Sue was a loyal member of Gamma Phi Beta Alumnae and Stephens College Luncheon Club serving in leadership roles for both groups. Over the years she served Gamma Phi Beta on the house corporation board of Alpha Delta chapter in Columbia, as well as province director and on several international committees. She was a dedicated member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter FE, Kansas City serving in many capacities over her 57 years of membership. An investment club, a study club and lots of fun meals with friends and family made life interesting and enjoyable through the years.
After the passing of her parents, Sue continued the management of Dorsey Farms in Stet with the trusted and able assistance of local farmers and friends. Sue always felt she needed to return to Stet often---where she could see the whole sky. It was a wonderful place to be raised. Her high school friends remained her lifelong friends, many of whom she saw at the recent Stet High School reunion. Since 1985, she has served on the board of trustees of the Mt. Olivet Cemetery near Stet, the final resting place of many generations of the Dorsey family.
Sue loved children.certainly her own child, her nieces and nephews, those she had as students and those of relatives and friends. For 23 years she volunteered for Front Door Alliance as a mentor/tutor for children at Franklin Elementary and Faxon Elementary, both intercity Kansas City schools. She loved the children and hoped she made a difference in their lives with their weekly one-on-one time together. It was very special for her.
She was predeceased by her husband A. Overton Durrett Jr., parents John and Loreen Dorsey, her sister Mary Ann Dorsey Krauss and brother-in-law, Dr. William R. Krauss of Columbus, OH. Survivors include her son, John Dorsey Durrett of Kansas City; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Virginia and Steve Otto of Lee's Summit, MO; six nieces and nephews; numerous cousins and many longtime friends.
A memorial Service will be held at 3pm on August 14th in the main sanctuary at Country Club Christian Church followed by a reception immediately thereafter.
A burial service will be at 11am on August 15th at Mt. Olivet Cemetery near Stet followed by a reception at Goppert Community Center 201 Pine Street Norborne MO 64668.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to one of the following:
Mt. Olivet Cemetery Association, c/o Goppert Bank PO Box 222 Norborne MO 64668
Chapter FE P.E.O. c/o Nancy Bentz, 10062 Hemlock Drive Overland Park KS 66212
John B. Dorsey Scholarship Fund or Loreen Mohler Dorsey Scholarship Fund at formizzou.missouri.edu
Established by Sue's parents, both funds at the University of Missouri are specifically directed to students from the Ray-Carroll community and memorial designations can be made online.