Rashell Tennessee Dorris

Rashell Tennessee Dorris

Emergency Telecommunicator, Boone County, MO, Joint Communications

April 11, 1990-October 3, 2021.

Rashell Tennessee Dorris was a beloved daughter to Billy and Marchella Dorris. She was born in Springdale, Arkansas and graduated from Cassville High School in 2008. She then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from University of Missouri at Mizzou in History & Social Justice in 2012. She found her calling as an Emergency Telecommunicator for Boone County Joint Communications center. Rashell passed away on October 3, 2021 in Columbia, MO at the age of 31 after an admirable fight against COVID.

Everyone talks about “First Responders” but most of the time they seem to forget about the men and women who respond before the first responders. We have always respected Rashell for her service and sacrifice as a 911 dispatcher. She was and always will be our “voice in the dark”.

‘“I stand on a mountaintop as the great bird approaches, she is small in my sight but grows larger on approach, until I am blessed with a full sight of her graceful wings, proud countenance and good company. All too quickly, she grows small again on the horizon and disappears from view. And I call out: There, she’s gone!

But there are other mountaintops beyond me. And at the precise moment when I note the great bird’s departure from my view, I know there are new eyes taking up the sight of her and fresh voices calling out: Here, she comes!’”

(Adaptation of “A Parable of Immortality” – Rev. Henry Van Dyke)

The love, admiration, and respect for Rashell was astronomical both in and outside of work. Many of her coworkers and her commander told stories of how Rashell had lifted them up as they met with struggles while on the job or personal, leaving notes to bring them joy and show support. It’s clear that Rashell will be missed by many people. Rashell has touched lives that she didn’t even realize, including saving at least three on the job as a dispatcher. Rashell’s parents were given the hearts that represented the lives she has saved, which will be treasured as a token of how many lives she has touched and the pride she took in her service.

Rashell loved being an aunt to her 4 nieces and 3 nephews. She was a reading enthusiast with a passion for history. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Her sarcastic sense of humor could break the tension of any room and bring everyone to tears with laughter.

Rashell will be dearly missed by her parents, Billy and Shelly Dorris, brothers Ashton (Lindsey) and Clayton (Carissa), her best friends and sisters Victoria DuBose and Mandi and Gary Roberson, her beloved nieces and nephews Alivia, Hayden, Makaya, Malachi, Callen, Greyson, and Eliana, and her work-mom Stacie Scott-Horrell.

Rashell was preceded in death by her grandparents Raymond Dorris, Jean Louise (Miller) Clark, Arlie G. Bray Sr., Patsy Ann (Price) Bray, aunts Carol Jane Higginbotham and Bobbi Rae Barton and uncle Arlie G. Bray Jr.

There will be a funeral held on Saturday, October 9th, 2021 at 4:30 PM at The Ridge Church in Pea Ridge, AR. Burial will be in Antioch Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, October 8, 2021 at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Pea Ridge.

Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net