Dorthey Jane Murrell of Ponca City, Oklahoma, went home to be with her Lord on September 30th, at 1:30 PM, just 4 days short of her 85th birthday. She was born October 3rd, 1934 in Morris, Oklahoma to John Henry and Hattie Mable Murrell. Dorthey was the oldest of 9 children, Eva, Naomi, Sammy, Helen, Betty, Sharon, Margie and Theda. Her father was a preacher that started churches in Perkins and Cushing, Oklahoma. Dorthey started playing piano in the church at the age of 10. She married Eldon Burch of Lone Wolf, OK at the age of 16 and had four sons, John, Roger, Ronnie and Eddie, all by the time she was 21. She was a waitress early in life at various places including Bill and Jeans Café on Grand in Ponca City, OK. She became lifelong friends with the Bill Chesser family. She later married Glen McGowen of Burbank, divorcing after 16 years.

Dorthey worked many years in the hospitality industry managing hotels in Louisiana, Arkansas Texas & Oklahoma including the Ponca City Holiday Inn. She obtained an Associate’s Degree to become a Certified Hospitality Administrator. She received numerous awards in her field and was recognized for her contributions to her community and many civic organizations on several occasions. Dorothy loved Jesus and studied God’s word through Shepard’s Chapel of Gravette, Ark.

She is preceded in death by both husbands, brother Sammy, sister Theda and her two sons, John Eldon Sr., and Edgar Wayne. She is survived by two sons Ronnie Murrell Burch and wife Sue, and Roger Dale Burch and wife Phyllis all of Ponca City, her 6 grandchildren John Burch Jr., Patricia Carlisle, Tracy Lynn Irwin, Kristal Kelly, James Norris and Jana Helen, her 12 great grandchildren Tyler, Katie, JoEll, Samuel, Sean, Aaron, Cody, Brandon, Tyson, Amber, Ashley, Mandy and her 6 great-great grandchildren Ethan, Colton, Brailey, Brison, Scarlett and one more on the way.

Dorthey’s wit, wisdom, generous heart and unbreakable spirit will be missed greatly by family and too many friends to count. A celebration of her life and going home will be held on Saturday, October 12th at 3 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle Church located at 501 S. 5th St., Ponca City, OK. A pot luck dinner will take place at 1 p.m. prior to the celebration at the same location in the fellowship hall. All friends & family are invited.

In lieu of flowers, Dorthey would want you to give to someone in your own life that is in need. paid obituary