Alice Wanita Mae Dockins

Alice Wanita Mae Dockins, 88, West Plains, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday morning, July 12, 2023, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.

She was born December 13, 1934 “down on the river” at Greer, Missouri to George Millard Huff and Ora Bell Sisk Huff. On September 4, 1953, she was married in Dubuque, Iowa to Gerald Dockins; Wanita and Gerald were married for 68 years at the time of his passing last year, and their love and devotion was a gift and example to all who had the pleasure of knowing them. Mrs. Dockins was a member of First Baptist Church. She was a woman of fierce conviction and believed that all people deserved dignity and care. She welcomed people into her home to stay and receive care on more than one occasion. During the summertime she would deliver excess produce from her garden to the “old folks” and food pantry in town. As Alzheimer’s caused her mental acuity to decline, it didn’t stop her from finding happiness in her husband, family, new babies, beautiful flowers, the sun shining, ham and cheese roll ups, and hugs. As Wanita often said, “Hugs are no good until you give them away.” Her legacy will continue on through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She is survived by two children, Mary McGee and husband, Jim McGee, West Plains, Missouri and Michael Dockins, Republic, Missouri; five grandchildren, Jacob McGee and wife, Anna, West Plains, Jaime Grisham and husband, John, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Shannon Chen and husband, Stone, West Plains and Chris Dockins and wife, Rose, Republic, Missouri; and nine great-grandchildren Ezra, Edith, Alice, Josephine, Lydia, Lincoln, Bentley, Liam, and Zoey.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Dockins, mother, father, three brothers, one sister, mother-in-law, and infant son, Jeffrey.

A graveside service will be held at Bailey Cemetery, Alton, Missouri 1t 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 22, 2023. Visitation services will be held at the home of her grandson, Jacob McGee, 307 Hynes, in West Plains, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 21, 2023.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bailey Cemetery in Alton, Mo or First Baptist Church Food Bank and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.