Alice "Jody" Colby
Alice Josephine (Jody) Bayley Ellis Mire Colby ran into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ on October 4, 2022. Jody, as she was known her entire life, was born in Louisiana, Missouri on January 30, 1940 to the Reverend Ernest Robert Bayley and Alice Josephine (Perry) Bayley. Jody was the youngest of the Bayley’s four children. She grew up roaming across the northern part of the state of Missouri as her father, being an itinerant minister with the Methodist Church moved about every other year. Jody attended Central Methodist College, for 2 years where she met and married her first husband, Max Edward Floyd Ellis. Jody married her second husband, Saul Mire, in Marshfield Missouri. After living as a military spouse and moving often, Jody returned to Missouri where she worked Government Civil Service, managing military pay records and retirements. Jody was a Master Bridge player and an avid card player in many games. She enjoyed reading, quilting, other crafts, her dogs, and spending time with her family. She had two sons and a daughter. Max E. F. Ellis, Jr and his wife Kye Suk of Waynesville, Missouri. Spencer L. Ellis and Gina Ann (Whitehurst) of Monett, Missouri. Cheryl Louise (Mire) and Larry Benz of Aurora, Missouri.
Jody was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert Ernest Bayley, Spencer Willis Bayley, a sister, Julia Belle Brewer, and a nephew, Bryan Thomas Bayley. She is survived by her children, Max, Spencer, and Cheryl. Her grandchildren, Angela Kim Dunlap and Chris Dunlap of Bolton, Texas; Cody Todd Mire and Tamara Gentry of Carthage, MO; Sara Ann Bayley Swope and Tyler of Monett, MO; Brandon Todd of Aurora, MO; Lara Sue Jewel Corbett and Andy of Springfield, MO; Jesse Ellis of Colorado. Kory and LeAnn Benz of Denver, Colorado, Cindy and Michael Hagee of Rapid City, SD. Also, surviving are her great grands Eli, Ellie, and Ruby Swope of Monett, MO, and Logan Dunlap of Belton, Texas.
Jody’s nieces and nephews, Angelika Hewlit of Oregon, Robert E Bayley III of Oregon, Laura Bayley of Tucson, AZ, Paula Mraz of St Louis, MO; Ross Brewer of Columbia MO; Kurt Brewer of Russellville MO. Her great nieces and nephews Josh and Kara Brewer; Grace and Justin Brewer, Scott, Matt, and Mark Bayley, and Eric Bayley.
Jody was a devoted Christian, a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and a congregant member of the Aurora United Methodist Church of Aurora, Missouri. She professed and lived out her faith with a generous heart and enjoyed participating in mission projects. She enjoyed singing, playing the piano, playing cards, and discussing current events. She liked to watch bull riding, ice skating, gymnastics, and the St Louis Cardinals. She will be greatly missed by those fortunate to have known her, but she would tell them, that she would see them again.
Visitation and Celebration of Life service will be held at the Aurora United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 13, 2022 with visitation from 5:00 - 6:00 pm and service at 6:00 pm under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home and officiated by Rev. Charlene Dart. Interment will be in the Marshfield Cemetery where she will rest next to her mother.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jody’s name to the Aurora United Methodist Church, PO Box 7, Aurora, MO 65605, or to the Haven of the Ozarks, 9716 Farm Road 2190, Washburn, MO 65722, and may be left in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc.