Ella was a joy to family and friends Ella Mae Stith, 100 years, passed to heaven on Feb. 1, 2009, at her home in Ava, with her children by her side. Ella was born Sept. 23, 1908, in Ava, Mo., to Robert and Luetta (Campbell) Jenkins.
She was a retired LPN where she worked in hospitals and private homes. She was a Christian and a member of Ava Full Gospel Church. She enjoyed working with her son, L.C., in establishing the Ava Victory Academy School. Ella was a joy to family and friends.
Ella was preceded by her parents; one son, L.C. Stith; five brothers, Irlee, Lester, Dee, Kirby and Herbert Jenkins; and two sisters, Roxena Stith and Sue Simpson.
Ella is survived by two children, Lester E. Stith and wife, Dee, Alamo, Texas, and Daphne C. Tiger and husband, Frenchie, Cerritos, Calif.; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two great-great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Rosalind Creswell, Oklahoma City, Okla.; one brother, A.W. “Sunny” Jenkins, Houston, Texas; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Ella will be Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with burial in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1 p.m. to service time in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. “Butch” McCleary. Memorials may be made to Seasons Hospice, 1831 W. Melville Rd., Springfield, MO 65803; or Ava Victory Academy at the funeral home. On line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome. com.
