Mary Ellen Jones

Our Mother, Mary Ellen, passed away Sunday, December 15, at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Mary Ellen resided in Amber Ridge Community in Derby, KS, and was born in Maple City, KS on April 27, 1929. She was the daughter of Ben Ray and Margaret (Hoback) Thomas.

Mary Ellen graduated from Winfield School. She was a former retail sales clerk (Lewins) and worked-exercised daily at Curves for Women.

Mary Ellen was the first Dietitian and cook for St. Mary’s School hot lunch program. She is known for delicious Sunday dinners, stupendous yeast rolls, and the best cinnamon rolls in town.

She was adventurous, brave, and strong. She was an excellent and dedicated softball and volleyball coach. She loved to travel and enjoyed her Alaskan cruise, kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland and meeting Pope John II at the Basilica in Rome. But she felt her greatest achievement was raising her eight children.

She loved day trips and walks in the park. She loved hummingbirds and bird watching, and the Hallmark channel. She enjoyed her RAV4 and spent a lot of time in her favorite little white car.

Left to cherish her memory are Bennie Ray (Nancy), (Robin), Carol Ann Estes (Don deceased), Mark Anthony (Thany), Michael Lawrence, Joseph Matthew, Pauline Ann, Paul Richard (Paula), 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Richard Leo, her second son, James Henry, her son-in-law, Donald Martin Estes, her sisters: Virginia Rothfuss, Juanita Evans, her brothers-in-law George Benson and Jerry Evans.

Mass will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 2300 E Meadowlark, Derby, KS, December 20, 2024, at 10:30 A.M.

Final resting place to follow Mass is at El Paso Cemetery, 700 East Kay Street, Derby, Kansas. Luncheon to follow back at the church.

Arrangements are through Smith Family Mortuary.

Mary Ellen loved elephants and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the African Wildlife Foundation in her honor at www.awf.org

We would like to express our gratitude to Mary Ellen’s doctors, nurses, and caregivers; you were loving and patient. Mom will be missing you.