Mildred Louise Peery Doughty

Mildred Louise Peery Doughty, 96, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, under the exceptional comfort care of Hedrick Medical Center. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and devotion to family and community.
Born on February 24, 1929, to John Roger and Hazel Grace Lipke Peery, Mildred arrived on the eve of the Great Depression in a two-story farmhouse built in 1881 on the Livingston County family farm, homesteaded in 1838. Her early years were shaped by the dust, drought, and hardships of the 1930s, instilling in her a steadfast character and a deep appreciation for the simple joys of country life.
Mildred attended the one-room Blackburn School in northwest Livingston County through eighth grade before graduating from Jamesport High School in 1947. With a love of learning and a determination to teach, she began teaching at Blackburn School in 1947 while attending Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville (Northwest Missouri State University today) during the summers. In 1957, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught for four years at Blackburn School before continuing her career at Lock Springs, in western Livingston County, where she guided elementary students for another eight years.
On June 14, 1955, she married Wesley Merle Doughty in Jamesport, Missouri. Together, they built a life of family, farming, service, and contributing to their community for 61 years until Merle’s passing in 2017.
Mildred’s life was defined by quiet strength, generosity, and an unwavering belief in the power of kindness. Whether in the classroom, among family, or within her community, she lived by a simple philosophy: “Kindness inspires kindness.” Her presence will be deeply missed, but the lessons she imparted of perseverance, grace, and goodwill will continue to live on in the lives she touched.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Chillicothe, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Eastern Star-Worthy Matron. She was involved locally as a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, and Culture Club and Extension Club member.
Survivors include son Douglas Peery Doughty (Barbara); daughter Patricia Lynn Howard; grandsons Tyler Doughty (Kayla), Kellin Ferguson (Lalka); granddaughters Konner Squires (Jacob), Hanna Myrick (C. J.); great-grandchildren Chase Bowen, Blakely Doughty, Addisyn Doughty, Wesley Ferguson, William Ferguson, Millie Squires, Oliver Myrick, and Jade Myrick; sisters-in-law Marilyn Dunn, Kearney, Missouri, and Marjorie Schapaugh, Trenton, Missouri; brother-in-law Jim Whorton, Trenton, Missouri; plus several cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents Roger and Hazel Peery; brother John Lipke Peery; son-in-law Paul Howard; brother-in-law Eugene Doughty; sisters-in-law Elaine Anderson, Barbara Doughty, Mary Doughty, Rose Anne Ramian, Kathryn Rissler, and Beverly Whorton; and brothers-in-law Bill Anderson, Ray Dunn, Andy Ramian, Dave Rissler, and Bill Schapaugh.
Graveside services will be held at the Masonic Cemetery, Jamesport, Missouri, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Friends may call at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to United Methodist Church Preschool or Livingston County Cancer Assistance (UMC-LCCA) and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.