Helen Lavon Elley

She was born April 9, 1926, the daughter of the late Royal Carlton and Verla Ellen (Maddox) Beecher.

During World War II, she worked in an ammunitions factory in Kansas City, Missouri. She returned home to Hams Prairie, where she married Alfred P. “Mutt” Elley in January 1946 following his discharge from the United States Army. They soon began raising a family in Mokane, finally settling in Hams Prairie.

She was a longstanding and beloved member of Hams Prairie Christian Church, where she taught children’s Sunday School for many years and, later, an adult Sunday School class. She prayed continually and, in her quiet way, led by example with a life of service to others and faithfulness to God.

She worked at the Fulton State Hospital as a nursing aide in geriatrics for 25 years until retiring in 1991.

In her retirement, she was well-known for keeping busy: visiting friends at nursing care facilities, nurturing children at her granddaughter’s home daycare, studying a Sunday School lesson in her well-worn Bible, and maintaining her yard on her riding mower. There were always baked goods (and her famous popcorn balls at Halloween) for anyone who stopped by her home. She’d invite visitors to pull up a chair and tell her about their joys, challenges, and daily goings-on; she always had time to listen.

Those left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy include her five children: Gary Dale (Becky) Elley, Terry (Gayle) Elley, Mary (Bill) Russell, Carol Elley, and Janet (Guy) Cooke. In addition, she will be lovingly remembered by eleven grandchildren: Marcy (Chad) Mealy, Christyn Edwards, Betsy (Rick) Barnes, Adam (Emma) Elley, Michael (Angie) Elley, Jason (Megan) Elley, Travis McDonald, Steven (Jenny) Elley, Allie, Jackson, and Zoe Cooke; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Susan Beecher and family; Noland and Tammy Bartley; and longtime Prairie friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Maurice Beecher, and sister Betty Nadyne Beecher.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Debo Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Bruce Williamson officiating. Burial will be in Callaway Memorial Gardens, Fulton, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Hams Prairie Cemetery Association, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St, Fulton, MO 65251.