Dorothy Tuttle

Dorothy Mae Tuttle left us to go be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 9, 2007. She was born on October 11, 1933 and was one of six children to Frank and Ruth Ferguson of Independence, Missouri. Dorothy is survived by her husband of 53 years, Frank G. Tuttle of Independence, two Sons; Roger Tuttle and wife Sharon of Independence, Frank Tuttle III and wife Leslie of Excelsior Springs, two Daughters; Deena Graham and husband Rod of Independence and Dawna Christofferson and husband Dick of Lee’s Summit, Grandson’s Christopher Graham and wife Stephanie, Ryan Graham and Granddaughter Jennifer Tuttle all of Independence. Her family is expecting their first Great Granddaughter in November 2007. Dorothy was preceded by the unexpected death of her son Jeffrey Kent Tuttle in May 2004. Dorothy is also survived by her brother, Dean Ferguson, of Independence, and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was a 1951 Graduate of William Chrisman High School. From 1952-1955 she was a Private Shakespearian Student of Ada Bates, the Artistic Director of the Kansas City Theatre Guild and an acclaimed New York Play Director & Broadway Actress. From 1952-1955 she studied acting and directing with special emphasis in Shakespeare, and was certified to act and direct with the Kansas City Theatre Guild. From 1960-1973 Dorothy was the Artistic Director of the Independence Children’s Theatre and Theatre Guild. She was also the Owner/Director of a Private Drama School for children ages 4-16. From 1996-1998 she attended the Sheffield Family Living Bible College, and graduated in 2002 with a Master of Ministry Degree with Emphasis in Christian Education from the Midwest Theological Seminary. In 1994 she was a Graduate Bachelor of Ministry with the Agape Harvest Bible School and in 1991 Dorothy obtained a Graduate Bachelor Communication/Journalism Degree from the International University. Dorothy organized and directed the Citywide Christian teenage organization, Teenage White Masque Players, from 1958-1963. She directed the St. Mary’s 100 Year Pageant, with a cast of over 500 people in 1964. She also wrote and directed the Good Friday Drama, “What Shall I Do With Jesus,” at the RLDS Auditorium, with a cast of over 100 people in 1963-1965. Dorothy was a Lifetime Member of the Missouri PTA and was the Independence School District PTA President from 1963-1972. She was also a Co-founder of Independence Firehouse Players, from 1973-1974 and the Artistic Director from 1974-1975. She also produced and directed many plays and productions in the Greater Kansas City Area. Dorothy was the Executive Director of the Santa-Cali-Gon Celebration in 1974 & 1975. She was a member of the Independence Square Merchants Association and the Executive Director of the Independence Plan for Neighborhood Councils for 42 neighborhood groups and 20 citywide committees from 1975 to 1976. Dorothy was a Missouri Licensed Real Estate Broker from 1983-2007. She was also the Executive Editor of “New Wine for Christians Today”, a full size International Christian Newspaper, printed by the Independence Examiner, with a monthly distribution of 20,000 in 1990. She was the Founder and Director of the New Hope Fellowship, a bi-monthly Christian Prison Ministry to the Leavenworth Federal Prison, from 1996-1999. She was also the Director/Coordinator and instructed a team of Christian Volunteer Ministers for the Appalachian Mountain Ministry in 1998. Dorothy was a Co-founder of the Mustard Seed Ministries, a Ministry of Love in Jesus, from 2002-2007 and was the Author and Editor of the “Mustard Seed Times”, a monthly newsletter to promote the Love of Jesus, from 2002-2007. In the year 2000, Dorothy became a Member of the Clergy of the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association, Inc. Dorothy never felt the need for credentials. The Holy Spirit has always been her friend and guided her life. Dorothy was raised in a Christian home where Service to God was paramount. She was baptized by water at the age of 8. She became the leader of a grade school girl group called Orioles for her church at the age of 16. She served as Vacation Church School Director many years, Leader of the Women’s Department and with her husband, led the Teenage Youth Group in their church, for many years. Dorothy and Frank have held a weekly Bible Study Class, in their home for the last 15 years and have been active in the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship since 1990. In August of 1979 at the age of 46 she was baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. Dorothy and Frank were married in the Church and have raised their five children to love God. Their home has always been a place of peace, love and refuge. Prayer is a recognized part of their faith. Dorothy Co-authored “THE FINAL HOURS”, a soul-winning, Christian Book about the life of Bill Phipps, the National Director of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, in 1993. Thirty thousand books were printed by “Christ For The Nations” in Russia, and the book has since been translated into three different languages. For information to obtain a copy of this book, e-mail your request to tutfinalhours@aol.com A Celebration Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, 10/13/2007 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, in Independence. Burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery, Independence. Friends and Family may call from 6:00-8:00 p.m., on Friday, 10/12/2007, at the Speaks Chapel.