Obituary for Mary Margaret Rodden (Ellis)
Mary Margaret Ellis Rodden died peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday morning, September 8th, 2023 at Copper Rock Village in Rogersville, Missouri, following an 11-year progression of primary progressive aphasia and dementia.
Mary was born on March 4, 1954, to James and Margaret Ellis in Hannibal, Missouri. She married Randy Rodden, the love of her life, on June 24, 1978, also in Hannibal at Mt. Zion Christian Church. She is survived by her husband, Randy; her two sons and their wives Mike and Lisa Rodden and Will and Tabi Rodden; her grandchildren Kit, Ava, Eli, Cooper, Kinley, and Nash; sisters Jean Powers and Kay Ellis; nephew Matt Powers and niece Dawn Neupert. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Margaret Ellis, and a brother-in-law, Don Powers.
A natural teacher and encourager who effortlessly met kids on their level, Mary taught second grade in Hannibal and later developed and directed a preschool at Campbell United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Mary adored sharing and enjoying music with others throughout her entire life. She played the violin, guitar, bells, and piano while also singing with various choirs including the University Singers at Mizzou.
Mary was delighted to support and lift others up, thrilled to be a part of allowing them to shine. Through bunco groups, family trips and holiday celebrations, Sunday school classes and hospitality teams, and decades-long lunch dates, she loved to build and foster long-lasting relationships. Faith, family, and friends all meant the world to her.
Mary’s sweet, gentle, and generous soul so often put others’ needs ahead of her own. Her warm smile, love of a good story, and kindness brought joy to many. She had a genuine ability to make others feel special and loved. A loyal and dearly-loving wife, mother, sister, and daughter, she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 922 W. Republic Rd. in Springfield at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023. Visitation will take place directly before the service from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Wesley.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to either the Children’s Miracle Network https://www.coxhealthcmn.com/get-involved/donate-online/ ; Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals P.O. Box 8812, Springfield, MO 65801) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html ; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105).
Mary was born on March 4, 1954, to James and Margaret Ellis in Hannibal, Missouri. She married Randy Rodden, the love of her life, on June 24, 1978, also in Hannibal at Mt. Zion Christian Church. She is survived by her husband, Randy; her two sons and their wives Mike and Lisa Rodden and Will and Tabi Rodden; her grandchildren Kit, Ava, Eli, Cooper, Kinley, and Nash; sisters Jean Powers and Kay Ellis; nephew Matt Powers and niece Dawn Neupert. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Margaret Ellis, and a brother-in-law, Don Powers.
A natural teacher and encourager who effortlessly met kids on their level, Mary taught second grade in Hannibal and later developed and directed a preschool at Campbell United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Mary adored sharing and enjoying music with others throughout her entire life. She played the violin, guitar, bells, and piano while also singing with various choirs including the University Singers at Mizzou.
Mary was delighted to support and lift others up, thrilled to be a part of allowing them to shine. Through bunco groups, family trips and holiday celebrations, Sunday school classes and hospitality teams, and decades-long lunch dates, she loved to build and foster long-lasting relationships. Faith, family, and friends all meant the world to her.
Mary’s sweet, gentle, and generous soul so often put others’ needs ahead of her own. Her warm smile, love of a good story, and kindness brought joy to many. She had a genuine ability to make others feel special and loved. A loyal and dearly-loving wife, mother, sister, and daughter, she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 922 W. Republic Rd. in Springfield at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023. Visitation will take place directly before the service from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Wesley.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to either the Children’s Miracle Network https://www.coxhealthcmn.com/get-involved/donate-online/ ; Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals P.O. Box 8812, Springfield, MO 65801) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html ; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105).