Ellen Pauline (Miller) Sprouse, age 100, of Smithville, MO and formerly of Polo and Cowgill, passed away Friday morning, July 3rd, 2020, at Lee's Summit Pointe Health and Rehabilitation in Lee's Summit. Ellen was born on September 25th, 1919, in rural Caldwell County near Cowgill, MO, to Charles M. and Addie (Stephens) Miller. She attended Excelsior Grade School one mile south of their home and graduated from Cowgill High School in 1938. On July 9th, 1939, she was united in marriage to James A. “Nippy” Sprouse. To this union, five children were born. The family belonged to the First Baptist Church of Cowgill. Ellen and Nippy owned and operated a general store in the area of Caldwell County know as Gould Farm. She later worked at the shoe factory in Hamilton, MO. Ellen was also an Avon saleswoman for a number of years. She was a hard worker and always “well put together”. Ellen volunteered at Christ’s Cupboard Food Pantry and loved playing cards and visiting at the Caldwell County Nutrition Center. She also served on the board of directors for the Caldwell County Nutrition Center. Ellen will be dearly missed.
Ellen was preceded in death by: her husband, Nippy; parents; sisters, Edith Alspach, Dorothy Diment and Ruby Ely, brother Stephen Miller; son, Jim Sprouse; granddaughter, Angela Van Ness; grandson, Aaron Sprouse. Survivors: daughter, Marilyn (Donald) Bowman of Smithville; son, Jerry (Rhonda) of Polo; daughter, Betty Sprouse of Kansas City; son, Bill (Lori) Sprouse of Kansas City; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christ’s Cupboard Food Pantry or the Caldwell County Nutrition Center in care of the funeral home. Friends may call 9 AM to 4 PM Monday, July 6th, 2020, at Stith Family Funeral Home in Polo. Private family services due to COVID-19. Burial: Cowgill Cemetery, Cowgill, MO. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Family Funeral Home in Polo. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com
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