Doris L. Bunch

Doris Louise Bunch, age 86, of Welda, Kansas went to be with the Lord on August 24, 2020. Family will meet with friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 31, 2020, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1212 Willow Lane, Ottawa. Funeral services will immediately follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment Mt. Hope Cemetery, Williamsburg, Kansas. Doris was born October 6, 1933 at Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Ulysses Erwin and Alice “Louise” (Curry) Tucker. She grew up in Kansas City and the Overland Park area where she attended the Overland Park Grade School. She also attended Shawnee Mission North High School. In 1949, she married Jess Leonard Harding in Arkansas. One child was born during this marriage, Jessica Louise. They later divorced. In 1953, she married William Charles Crider in Shawnee, Kansas. Six children were born during this marriage: Marla Jean, James Erwin, Billie Jo, Melody Ann, Laura Lea and Ramona Gay. They later divorced. In 1963, she had another child, John Leonard Tucker. Doris married James L. Bunch December 14, 1984 in the Dallas Temple in Dallas, Texas. They made their home in Williamsburg, Kansas, Mound City, Kansas and later moved to Welda, Kansas. They loved to travel and enjoyed doing Temple work. Doris lived in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, and Illinois most of her life. In 1974, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was an active member of the church and loved being a member. She was a visiting home teacher and enjoyed traveling with her husband James and other church members to Temple’s where she did lots of genealogy work. Doris worked as a CNA, a Home Health Aide and went to nursing school at Neosho County Community College where she graduated as an LPN. She enjoyed nursing and working with the elderly. She was a great role model for those she worked with in the nursing profession. She made many lifetime friends while working as a nurse. Doris loved music and enjoyed entertaining, singing, playing guitar, and writing songs. Her favorite music was Classic Country, but she also loved Jazz and Christian music. One of her favorite pastimes was writing songs and “jingle’s”. She also played many different instruments including guitar, bass and piano but her favorite instrument was the guitar. Many successful musicians considered her one of the best rhythm guitar players they had ever heard. She loved collecting guitars of all kinds. She also loved to shop and collect all types of memorabilia. She enjoyed tap dancing, painting, and doing genealogy work. Her family was important to her and she enjoyed learning about her ancestry and sharing that information with others. She loved her children beyond measure and always encouraged them to follow their dreams. Doris was a very outgoing person and she made friends easily. She never met a stranger. She had a great sense of humor and loved life. Survivors include her husband, James Bunch of the home. Daughters: Jessica Phifer of Ottawa, Kansas, Marla Ryser of Salt Lake City, Utah, Billie Jo Quigley of Independence, Kansas, Melody Shultz of Rockford, Michigan and Dawn Hallford of Bessemer, Alabama. Sons: James Crider of Welda, Kansas, and John Tucker of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Brother, Ulis Tucker Jr., and wife Joy of Welda, Kansas. Because of the blended family between Doris and James two stepdaughters, Francis, and Ella; stepson, James Jr., and their families. Many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ulysses and Alice “Louise” Tucker; daughter, Laura Lea; maternal grandparents, John and Agnes Mather; and paternal grandparents, Edward and Annie Tucker. Doris will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all those who dearly loved her. Our lives were better because we were blessed to share a life with you. Heaven just gained another beautiful angel. Our good and faithful Father in Heaven has finally set you free to join Him and your other family members who have entered His beautiful Kingdom before you. So, fly high, dance in the sky, and know that you, your beautiful voice, and your unconditional love for us will remain in our hearts forever. Enjoy singing in the Angel’s Choir. We know how happy they are now that you have finally arrived.