On Saturday, January 11, 2020, Mary Ellen Boehning Jones, loving wife and mother, passed away at 96. Mary Ellen was born September 27, 1923 to John Ray and Mina (Anderson) Boehning in Diamond. Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil Jones and sister, Etta May (Boehning) Eubanks.
She attended Diamond schools and business college in Joplin, Missouri and worked as a secretary and office manager throughout her life. She met the love of her life, Virgil L. Jones, in Joplin, and married in 1950. The couple lived, worked and raised their family in St. Louis, Missouri and Dallas, Texas before retiring back to Southwest Missouri in 1984. After retirement, Mary Ellen re-discovered her love for needlework, quilting and cooking. After Virgil’s death in 2003, Mary Ellen moved to Fayetteville to be closer to family and soon became involved in the First Christian Church of Fayetteville, helping cook lunches for Seven Hills Homeless Shelter and as a volunteer at Community Outreach and the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks. She also began doing embroidery work for baby quilts at the Son’s Chapel Rural Builders Club. She continued her beautiful embroidery work for the Chapel until just days before passing. Mary Ellen lived a rich and full life in the service of others.
Mary Ellen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Michelle Jones of Fairview, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Kim Foster; grandson, Moss Foster of Fayetteville; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, January 17, 2020 at First Christian Church in Fayetteville with Ryan Pfeiffer officiating. Private interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Granby, Missouri.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mary Ellen was such a joy to work with in our church circle and other activities. She will be missed. Marilyn Sommers