Ellis Anderson Jones II

1929 - 2026

Ellis Anderson Jones II, 96, of Malden, Missouri, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, at Winchester Place in Bernie, Missouri.  He was born on December 3, 1929, in Malden and continued as a lifelong resident.  Ellis was the son of the late Pansy Graham Jones and Caleb James William Jones.  He graduated from Malden High School in 1947 and began his studies in accounting at Central Methodist College that fall.  When tragedy struck in early 1948, claiming the lives of his father and brother, Ellis returned home to care for his mother and three younger siblings and took on the responsibility of managing Broadwater, the family farm.  On November 26, 1948, he and Darlene Snow were married in Malden.  

Ellis was a man who always put his family first, sacrificing his personal ambitions for the benefit of those he loved.  This selfless decision to return home in 1948 shaped the course of his life and demonstrated the deep devotion to family that would define him.  Though a man of few words, Ellis’s actions spoke volumes about his character and the love he held for those around him.  He and Darlene lived in the home he built in 1955 until their deaths.  

For decades, Ellis worked tirelessly as a farmer, tending to Broadwater with the same dedication and determination that characterized everything he did.  After decades of tending the family farm at Broadwater, Ellis transitioned from the fields to the fairways.  He brought that same farmer’s work ethic to the Malden Country Club, where he became a fixture not just managing the pro shop and his golf cart business, but trying to master the game itself.  During this time, he achieved the remarkable feat of hitting 7 holes-in-one.

He and Darlene were lifelong members of the Malden United Methodist Church (until the church’s closing in 2025).  His grandfather Reverend Caleb James William Jones was one of the founding fathers of this church.  

Ellis enjoyed bridge, golf, and fishing.  He was known for his good heart and a legendary stubborn streak.  Whether at the farm, bridge table, or the golf course, Ellis never left you guessing where he stood on the things that mattered to him.  

His commitment to Community was evident in his quiet acts of service and the relationships he built throughout his life in Malden.  Though not one to seek the spotlight, Ellis’s impact on his community was profound and lasting.  

He is preceded in death by his wife, his mother and father, 3 brothers and a sister.  He is survived by his daughters, Michele Pawlik (Dave) of Peachtree City, GA and Patricia Moore (Travis) of Bernie, MO; 4 grandchildren, Sarah Deaver (Tom) of Peachtree City, GA, Matthew Pawlik (Alexandra)of Miami, FL, Erin Johnson (Patrick) of Chicago, IL and Emily Hall (Tim) of Christiansburg, VA; and 7 great-grandchildren, Ella and Edson Deaver, Avery Green, and Tristan, Karlie, Reese and Pace Hall.  

The family would like to extend their thanks to Winchester Place and Elara Caring Hospice for their kindness and compassion.  

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 14, at 11 AM at the Bernie Global Methodist Church, Bernie, MO.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Bernie Global Methodist Church, PO Box 850, Bernie, MO  63822.