Obituary of Boyce Melvin Ormsby

Boyce Melvin Ormsby, 93-year-old resident of Doniphan, MO, departed this life, Thursday, April 27, 2023. He was born September 20, 1929, in Oxly, MO, to the late Morgan and Virgie (Dabbs) Ormsby.

Boyce was a retired farmer and mechanic. He was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Oxly where in his earlier years he had served as a youth leader and teacher. Boyce had served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 which included an 18-month stint in Germany.

On December 2, 1957, Boyce married Ruth Ann Waller in Potosi, MO, and in December they marked 65 years of marriage. After their union in 1957, the couple made their home in Potosi for nine years before returning to Ripley County.

Surviving is his wife, Ruth Ann Ormsby of Doniphan; foster daughters, Helen Marie Heath Karber and husband, Scotty, of Batesville, AR and Maude Ann Heath Carter and husband, Robert Leland, of Conway, AR; a sister, LaVone Owens, and a brother, Bill B. Ormsby, both of Poplar Bluff, MO. Also surviving are his foster grandchildren, Julie, Jennifer, Jordan, and Carissa; and seven foster great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Boyce was preceded in death by a sister, Alpha Smith of Oxly.

Visitation will be held in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 beginning at noon with a graveside service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Antioch Cemetery in Oxly, MO.