Jewell L. (Dace) Ellis

Jewell Ellis was born January 21, 1924 in Deslet, Missouri to the late Wilbur and Polly Dace. Soon after her birth, the family relocated to Illinois, where Jewell was raised and spent her childhood. Jewell moved to Tulsa during World War II and in April 1945, she married Archie Ellis Jr. In 1950, Jewell and Junior made their home in Okmulgee, where they raised their six children. Jewell passed away Sunday, August 9, 2009 in Tulsa at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Polly Dace, her husband Archie Jr., her son, John, one granddaughter, one great-grandson, and six siblings. She is survived by a son, Jim Ellis and wife Carla of Morgantown, Indiana, four daughters, Judy Joslin of Reno, Nevada, Linda Johnson and husband Allen of Henryetta, Carol Burditt and husband Ken of Oklahoma City, and Marianne Freeman and husband Patrick of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, two brothers, Allen Dace and wife Virginia of Springfield, Illinois and Dean Dace and wife Darlene of Seattle, Washington, three sisters, Paula Cozadd and husband Bob of Centralia, Illinois, Irene Harville and husband Leonard of Odin, Illinois, and Ruby Hans of Evansville, Indiana. She was blessed with nineteen grandchildren, thirty-six great- grandchildren, and many very special friends. Jewell belonged to the Church of the First Born and dedicated much of her life unselfishly helping others, nursing the sick, and bringing newborn babies into this world. She was a wonderful homemaker, and loved being a mother and raising her family. Once she was widowed, she needed something else to fill her time, so she opened her home and touched the lives of a number of children, caring for them as their “MeMa.” A Funeral Service for Jewell will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home Chapel with Jim Ellis and Gary Greenfield officiating. Interment will follow in the Okmulgee Cemetery. Casketbearers will be her grandsons, Jeff Johnson, Jason Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Corey Freeman, Caleb Freeman, Cody Tomlinson, Mark Weisberger, Mitch Weisberger, Jamie Ellis, and Rocky Ellis. The family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Okmulgee Public Library (for Large Print Books) in Jewell’s memory. Arrangements are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee.

Jewell L. (Dace) Ellis

January 21, 1924 - August 9, 2009