Darline Ellis

Darline Ellis, 89, of Centralia passed away Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Stuart House Nursing Home in Centralia.

Family and Friends are invited to Darline's Life Celebration 11:00 AM Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home with burial to follow in the New Salem Cemetery in Ashland.

Visitation will be held from 10 :00 AM until the time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home.

Darline was born on September 11, 1936, in Ashland, the daughter of Herbert Selby and Mary Marie (Cain) Crump.

Darline was a graduate of Auxvasse High School. She was baptized in 1950, becoming a member of the Grand Prairie Baptist Church in Auxvasse. Later in life, she moved her membership to Oak View Baptist Church in Irving, TX.

On September 11, 1983, in Irving, TX, Darline married Robert Newton Ellis and preceded her in death on October 18, 2001

Darline's twelve years of school helped to cement her fascination for reading. She liked to read magazines about movies and baseball, and books about celebrities. That reading skill proved to be valuable in later years as she lost hearing and could read TV captions quicker than most.

Darline was very interested in photography and, as such, became the family photographer for many years. As a result, she and her mother created close to 300 photo albums, complete with names, dates, and stories. These pictures of the past have and surely will be enjoyed by family and friends for years to come.

Darline was a talented artist with both pencils and paintings. Her subjects included still, scenery, and people.

Her love of artistry, photography, and travel took Darline to many countries and faraway places. California, Mexico, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico are just a few places that she flew to on a consistent basis. But, Hawaii called her name, allowing her to enjoy five separate vacations on those islands with her husband, cousins, and friends. And, yes, she created several (more than five) photo albums of those tropical paradises.

The thrill of adventure, while staying close to extended family, found Darline in Dallas, TX. There, she began her career at TV station WFAA – Belo Corporation. She enhanced her already flawless secretarial skillsand this was where she met and ultimately married Cap'n Bob. They were married for 18 years, until his passing.

Darline's devotion to Texas, specifically Irving and Dallas, was deep. But, she knew when it was time to move back to Missouri, to be closer to family, and most importantly her siblings. She was a wonderfully fun person to spend time with and proved to all who came to know her just how organized and independent she was. Her moto was, "Once a secretary, always a secretary!"

Darline kept a meticulous calendar. She was dedicatedto sending annual birthday and anniversary cards to family and friends, without failure. And then one day-the cards stopped. Alzheimer's ultimately took over and Darline settled in at The Stuart House in Centralia, MO, to become the newest member of its family. Staff members consistently spoke of Darline's unwavering smile and fun attitude. E. Darline Ellis passed peacefully in her sleep.

Darline is survived by her brother Donald Crump of Mexico sister-in-law Dorothy Crump, nieces and nephews, Cheri Mills (Bruce) of Paris, Vicki Dawson (Tinker) of Centralia, Jacki Stelzer (Russell) of Centralia, Corey Crump of Blue Springs, Patti Sibley (Nick) of Springfield; several great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews; many cousins.

Along with her husband, Robert, Darline was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, William Crump and his wife Mary, Wanda Crump, Bonita Crump, Bobby Crump; great-nephews, Ladell Mills, and Jeremy Lemons.

Memorial donations are suggested to the New Salem Cemetery and may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home, 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.