Velma J. Ellsworth

Mrs. Velma J. Ellsworth, age 60 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Friday, June 17, 2011, at the University Hospital, Columbia, Mo. Velma was born August 20, 1950, in Portland, Mo., the daughter of Joseph and Lillie Opal Maddox Polacek. She was married on August 24, 1972, in Miami, Okla., to John E. Ellsworth, who preceded her in death on January 10, 2010. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Velma graduated from South Callaway High School. While she was attending college at William Woods, she was employed with her mother at the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton, Mo. Later, she operated a home daycare center for 20 years. After her children were raised, she went to work for the Missouri Dept. of Corrections and later retired as the office manager for Taylor Realty. Velma was a member of the First Assembly of God, was a volunteer with the Parents as Teachers Program at Cole County R-5 in Eugene, and played the piano at many nursing homes. She enjoyed cooking, but most importantly, she loved her children, grandchildren, and time with her sisters. Velma was very devoted to her faith. Survivors include: three sons, Kevin Ellsworth and his wife Tina of Columbia, Mo., John "Jay" Ellsworth and his wife Jennifer of Eugene, Mo., and Joe Ellsworth and his fiancÈe Sara Atkins of Holts Summit, Mo.; one daughter, Lillian Kinard and her husband Jerry of Jefferson City, Mo.; one step-son, Stanley Ellsworth and his wife Denise of Green Castle, Mo.; three sisters, Betty Harmes and her husband Gene of Belton, Mo., Myrtle Gibbs and her husband Kenneth of Columbia, Mo., and Merl Goff of Jefferson City, Mo.; one brother, James Polacek and his wife Alva of Fulton, Mo.; 13 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; and one brother-in-law, Carl Goff Sr. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 20, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at the First Assembly of God with the Reverend Lowell Perkins officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at Summit Memorial Park Cemetery, Holts Summit, Mo. Those desiring may make memorials contributions to First Assembly of God or Ellis-Fischel Cancer Center, Columbia, Mo. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com