Ella Vest (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Ella Mae was born Dec. 26, 1924, on a farm in Goodson to James (Jim) and Jennie (Jen) Keith. She was saved at the age of 13 at the Goodson Missionary Baptist Church. She was united in marriage to Charles William Vest on July 27, 1943, and they moved to their farm in Polk shortly thereafter. To this union, five children were born.
Ella Mae was a homemaker and farmer until Charles passed away in 1997. She was known for her large garden, and cooking meals for family and people that worked on the farm. She was a very active and busy lady that milked cows, raised chickens and sold eggs. Ella was a leader in 4-H and a member of the WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service). Ella Mae later worked many years as a foster grandparent. She was a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church, where she attended most of her adult life and could be heard during the song service with her beautiful alto voice.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; step-mother, Mabel Keith; sisters, Ruth Jump, Jane Dryer, Dora Andrews, Frances Harris, and Charlene Hood; brothers, Robert Keith and David Keith; and a son-in-law, Hardy Sheldon.
Survivors include four daughters and three sons-in-law, Shirley and John Greer of Goodson, Wanda Sheldon of Bolivar, Benita and Richard Farmer of Bloomington, Illinois, and Beverly and Danny Coffey of Bolivar; a son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Mary Vest of Polk; two sisters, Barbara Voris of Walnut Grove and Lena Kintz of St. Charles, Missouri; two brothers, J Paul Keith of Bolivar and Joe Ben Keith of Buhler, Kansas; 11 grandchildren, John Rob Greer and Jay Greer; Sheri Hess; Stan Farmer, Ella Jean Carlsson, and Scott Farmer; Lynn Coffey, Jennifer Coffey, and Julie Routh; Garrett Vest and Justin Vest; 17 great grandchildren; and 7 great-great grandchildren.
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