Gladys Irene Durrill

Gladys Irene Durrill, affectionately called Tootsie, age 80, of Sedalia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 11, 2024. She suffered a 6-year battle with COPD and, most recently, with the addition of CHF.

Tootsie was born on September 28, 1943, at her family home near Sedalia, Missouri. She was the daughter of Paul and Iva Mae Shipps. She attended Centerview School for 4 years and graduated from Green Ridge High School. She worked at Adams Truck and Tractor Company after high school for 2 years.

On October 13, 1962, she married her sweetheart, Erney Durrill. They were married in Windsor, MO, and made their home in Manila, MO, for 8 years. In 1963, their son Tom was born. During this time, she served as the bookkeeper for her husband's business, Sedalia Rug Cleaners. In 1969, they moved northwest of Green Ridge, MO, and lived on Binder Road. In 1975, she began helping install and clean carpets with him. In 1997, with Erney retiring, their son, Tom, stepped into his shoes and took over the business. Tootsie helped out until she retired in 2005. In 2008, they moved to Sedalia on Maltsbarger Road. Even though she had retired, later in life, Tootsie earned spending money by cleaning houses with her dear sister, Margaret.

Tootsie is a member of Camp Branch Baptist Church. She was baptized at the age of 28 on May 14, 1972, by Pastor James Mitchell.

She loved to craft with her dear sister Evelina. She almost always had a fun puzzle going in the front room. She loved her some John Wayne and could most always be found either at least listening to, if not actively watching, an old western. It was always a standing joke between her and Tom that "that just might be a rerun."

She also loved fishing, crocheting, cross-stitching, playing cards, cooking, dancing at the Coon Club, and spending time with family. Her crocheting and cross-stitching talents were often shared in the form of afghans or wall hangings and given as gifts.

Tootsie came from a large family. She was blessed with 4 sisters and 3 brothers and many nieces and nephews: Evelina Turner and husband, Tony (both deceased); Margaret Petree and husband, Lester (deceased); Rachel Vaughan (deceased) and husband, Robert; Erma Shipps; Johnny Shipps and wife, Sharon; Ricky Shipps and wife, Dawn; Richard (Dicky) Shipps and wife, Rose.

In recent years, she enjoyed the company of her pet friends. Joy...she came to Tootsie at 6 weeks of age and was a super-busy Australian shepherd. Ultimately, she was too busy and always underfoot. Tootsie found it necessary to rehome her. Later, Peanut, a dachshund, came to her at the age of 5 weeks. Unfortunately, she also had to be rehomed as the need for Tootsie's own welfare was at risk trying to take care of her. They each had their own personalities and kept her company.

She was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband, Erney Durrill; their miscarried baby girl; sisters, Evelina Turner and Rachel Vaughan; and her young grandson, Timothy Callahan.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Durrill, his wife Kimberly; 3 grandchildren, Amanda Durrill-Baughman and husband Martin Baughman; Brandon Durrill and wife Emily Hayworth-Durrill; Brendan Durrill; and 1 great-granddaughter, Breonna "Anna" Edwards.

Pallbearers are Jeff Jobe, Bruce Morton, David Sullivan, Jon Purchase, Toby Brown, and Donald Sullivan.

Honorary Pallbearers are Elvis Durrill, Brandon Durrill, Brendan Durrill, Norman Morton, Ronnie Sizemore, John Detherage, Rick Malone, and Steven Carrico.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. at Rea Funeral Chapel, 3510 W. 16th St., Sedalia, with Rev. Donnie Hayworth officiating.

Burial will be immediately following service at Hickory Point Cemetery.

The family requests that any donations be sent to the family in the care of Rea Funeral Home.