Ellise Davis, age 98, a resident of Chanute, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2022, at the Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.

She was born Elane Catherina Thompson, on October 27, 1923, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Cornelius Thompson and Juanita Hughes. At the age of three, she went to live with Rev. Allen Jones and his wife, Mary.  Rev. Jones was a deacon at St. Paul’s A.M.E. Church in St. Louis.  She spent many hours helping him around the church and earned the nickname “Little Church Mouse.”  During this time, she also played on the church piano, a talent she enjoyed throughout her life.

Her name was later changed to Ellise, but her friends called her Tootsie.  She received her early education in St. Louis schools and went on to graduate from the Stowe Teacher’s College also in St. Louis.  She met Paul Davis, who was an usher at the church, and they were joined in marriage on April 18, 1942, in Union, MO.  Ellise gave birth to nine children.

Ellise moved the family to Ft. Scott, Kansas and later was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1969. She continued her education as a non-traditional student and graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College.

She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in social work from Pittsburg State University, graduating in 1972, at the age of 49.  Ellise worked as a social worker for the Labette County SRS Office in Parsons, Kansas for twenty-three years, retiring in 1995 at the age of 72.

Ellise grew up through the Great Depression, and despite many hardships, managed to get an education and raise her large family as a single parent. She also learned to drive a stick-shift in her 40’s. She will be remembered as a member of the Greatest Generation.

Survivors include six children, Saundra Woolfolk of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Paulette Mosbey of Kansas City, Missouri, Joyce Johnson (Woody) of Wichita, Kansas, Ralph Davis (Tänya) of Chanute, Kansas, Kevin Davis of Manhattan, Kansas and Deborah Goins (Wayne), also of Manhattan, Kansas.  Also surviving are eighteen grandchildren, Craig, Kirk, Mitchell, Michael, Mechelle, Gary Jr., Maurice, Juanette, Kimberly, Ray Jr., Chelsea, Monica, Tyrone, Kiesha, Shenee, Alyssa, Sea and Jasmine; forty-two great-grandchildren, twenty-three great-great-grandchildren and two great-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, three children, Allen, Gary and Diane; four grandchildren, Dale, Keishia, Detrick, and Danicka; one great-granddaughter, Danielle; and a foster-sister, Fannie Mae.

Private burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Virginia Lee Warren, age 79, of Independence, Missouri passed away May 8, 2022, at The Villages of Jackson Creek Memory Care.

She was born December 13, 1942, in Mapleton, KS to Dorothy (Schmitz) Chapman and James Chapman. She grew up in Fort Scott, KS, graduating from Fort Scott High School in 1960 and always considered Fort Scott her “home”.

Virginia spent much of her childhood battling polio she contracted at 18 months old, undergoing numerous surgeries and treatments at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She learned to walk using a built-up shoe and braces and never let it slow her down. She was named Queen of Dimes at Fort Scott High School working to raise money for the March of Dimes.

After graduation, she worked primarily as a keypunch operator and data entry clerk at Western Electric/AT&T until taking her retirement in 2000.

After retiring, she enjoyed volunteering at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, her weekly grocery/shopping trips with her sister and Friday morning breakfasts with any family member who could join in. She was notorious for not being able to pass up a deal at Cargo Largo and was quick to tell you about her latest find. She also took pride in her large video collection, especially her vast library of John Wayne movies (her absolute favorite) and could always let you know when the John Wayne marathons were playing on television. She was also excited to finally go see “The Faces” of Mount Rushmore, the mountains of Colorado, and the lights of Las Vegas.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses, David (Laura) Warren of Blue Springs, Jerry (Sue) Warren of Independence and Jonell (Carter) Craig of Blue Springs, 4 grandchildren, Trevor Warren, Alyssa Warren, Sawyer Warren, and Ashton Warren and 3 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Frances Richey (Independence), James (Elizabeth) Chapman (Independence), Paula Graham (Kansas City), Emmett (Doylene) Chapman (Fort Scott) and Joe Chapman (Independence). She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents James and Dorothy Chapman, brother, Paul Chapman, and brother-in-law Ricky Graham.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 11^th from 5-7pm with service to follow at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 1200 SW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Graveside service and burial will take place Thursday, May 12^th at 11am, Memory Gardens Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made in Virginia’s name to The Alzheimer’s Society, The MS Society, or a charity of your choice, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.