Dorothy Means

Dorothy Ann (Thomson) Means was born on May 9th, 1944 in Riverside, California to Isaac Thomson and Dorothy (Park) Thomson and passed from this life on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023.  Her father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, therefore the family moved many times in her younger years.  The family settled on an acreage of land in Valliant, Oklahoma.  There, the family grew apples and peaches.  It was Ann’s job to sit in the roadside stand and sell the harvested fruit.  Ann attended grade school and high school in the Valliant School system.  After graduating from high school, she attended Southeastern College in Durant, Oklahoma.  To complete her degree, Ann enrolled at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and shortly thereafter, was hired as the Adair County OSU Extension Agent.  Through this office she was able to teach life skills to many 4-H children within our local schools.  She also held courses in cooking and sewing for adult women in the area.  During this time, she met her future husband, Jerry Means, who, at the time was teaching at Zion School.  Ann and Jerry started dating in July of 1967 and were married on November 24, 1967.  Ann soon began teaching at Zion alongside her husband, Jerry.  After a short stint as educators, Ann and Jerry decided to leave the teaching field and begin a new adventure together.  The Waters Furniture Store became available to purchase and together, Ann and Jerry decided to acquire the store.  For 51 years, they worked side-by-side, tirelessly, to provide a service to the public through honest and fair business practices.  Ann and Jerry both worked the floor, waiting on customers, while Ann also took care of the bookkeeping.

There is a Bible Verse that reads: He has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  To make something beautiful takes time, patience and attention to detail.  Ann surely understood this concept.  She was an accomplished artist, painting in intricate detail and with precision strokes.  She was a talented gardener, growing beautiful flowers and trees.  Ann has knitted and sewn many articles of clothing, throws and quilts, that looked professionally constructed.  She was an excellent cook, she had a beautiful singing voice, and could play the piano and organ.  Each of these things takes time to accomplish and each of these things Ann made beautiful.  Not only did God bless Ann with talents in the arts, but God also blessed her with a beautiful smile and distinctive laughter.  These traits enabled Ann to meet people and make them feel comfortable.  Ann loved the Lord and used every opportunity to use those gifts to witness and lead people to the Lord.  She has served as a Sunday School teacher, AWANA helper, sang in the choir, played the church organ, cooked many meals for the Baptist Bible Conference and many various other church activities.  Ann was very active with church and social activities until her health did not allow.

For 55+ years, Ann and Jerry have been by each other’s side every day, in church, family, marriage and business.  Together they raised two sons, Hugh Alan and Jacob Isaac.  Their family grew to include daughters-in-law, Jessica and Carry and 6 grandchildren.  Everything is beautiful in its time.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents: Isaac and Dorothy Thomson, sister: Eugenie Dial and sister: Mary Elizabeth Thomson.

Those left to mourn Ann’s passing and celebrate her entry to Heaven include her husband: Jerry, son: Hugh and wife Jessica of Stilwell, OK, son: Jacob and wife Carry of Milford, Ohio and 6 grandchildren: Kipton, Kenzie, Kutter, Kruz, Jacob and Archer.  She also leaves a host of other family and friends to remember her and keep her in their hearts.

Ann’s faith in Jesus Christ was the most important thing in her life.  She loved the Lord fully and her greatest desire would be for you to know him too.

Acts 16:30-31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So, they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved-----“