Doris Jane Whorton

Services for Doris Whorton will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at MMS-Payne Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Doris Jane Whorton, lovingly known to her family as “Dorsy,” passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at her home in Claremore, Oklahoma.

The daughter of Roy and Lillian (Cook) Cowan, Doris was born on August 22, 1940, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her family moved to Pryor in December of 1946, and a few years later, settled in Claremore, where Doris attended local schools.

It was during her school years in Claremore that Doris met Arthur “Wayne” Whorton. The two began dating and were married on October 19, 1958, in Claremore. They made their home at the Lawson River Ranch, where Wayne served as ranch foreman. Doris spent the next 50 years there, working faithfully alongside her husband and building a life rooted in dedication, hard work, and love.

Doris had many interests and creative talents. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and flower gardening, with irises being her favorite. She also loved photography and scrapbooking, often sharing those moments with her sister and nieces. Doris enjoyed traveling when she could, collecting rocks, fishing, and once fulfilled a bucket-list dream by riding in a hot air balloon.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Lillian Cowan; her husband, Wayne Whorton; and siblings Helen Ligendza, Marilyn Cowan, Bob Cowan, and Dale Cowan.

Doris is survived by her sister, Carolyn McBeath and husband Doug; nieces Shelley Rogers, Jennifer Roberson, and husband Jon, Holly Melton and fiancé David Seanard, Hannah Andresen and husband Joern, Rachel Dockum and husband Stephen, and Julie Beall and husband Michael; nephews David Cowan and wife Donna and Brian Cowan and wife Becky; along with Jay Lawson and her family, and many extended family members who will cherish her memory.

Doris's motto in life was, "give the world a smile" and she dang sure did! Doris “Dorsy” Whorton will be remembered for her quiet strength, creativity, devotion to family, and the many years she spent working side by side with the love of her life. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved so dearly.