Kelli Michelle Jones

Kelli Michelle Jones, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed peacefully from this life on March 30, 2026 at her home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, surrounded by her loved ones. In her 42 years, Kelli touched countless lives and left a lasting impact on everyone who knew and loved her.

Kelli was born on January 14, 1984, to Robert "Bobby" Joseph Mays, Sr. and Ellen Funderburk Mays, completing their family of five. She attended Gosnell High School, where she graduated in 2002. Kelli went on to earn a master's degree in special education and devoted her career to Head Start where she served as a Mental Health and Disabilities Manager. Her career was a reflection of her compassionate spirit.

Kelli loved spending her free time with her family, being outdoors soaking up the sunshine, playing softball well into adulthood, cheering on her children at their sporting events, hunting for the best bargains while shopping, and she took great pride in making sure her girls knew Jesus.

On February 26, 2016, she married James Jones of Steele, Missouri. Kelli and James were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Adisyn Jade Jones and Ella Reece Jones. She embraced her bonus sons, Jolby Jones and Connar Jones when she married their dad. Nothing brought Kelli greater joy than being a mother. Her greatest passion was raising her girls and nurturing her family with love.

Kelli was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert "Bob" and Geneva Mays, and Clarence and Patricia "Kitty" Funderburk.

She is survived by her parents, Bobby and Ellen Mays; her husband, James Jones; her daughters, Adisyn and Ella Jones; her bonus sons, Jolby Jones (Reilly), and Connar Jones (Maggie King); her sister, April Grissom (Shane); her brother, Robert "BJ" Mays, Jr. (Ashley); her nieces, Chandlor Hudgens (Joshua), Peyton Jarmon (Alex), and Ansley Sanders; her nephews, Ryder Jarmon, Nolan Mays, and Dylan Jackson; and her great niece, Harlee Jo Hudgens. Kelli also leaves behind a host of extended family members, lifelong friends she dearly cherished, and her beloved pets, Ace and Gunner.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with Brother Scott Cheshire officiating. Kelli will be laid to rest at Brown Chapel Cemetery in Broseley, MO. Pallbearers will be Jolby Jones, Connar Jones, BJ Mays, Joshua Hudgens, Alex Nevel, and Lane Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Shane Grissom, Ryder Jarmon, and Nolan Mays.

Condolences may be shared online at whitesandersfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations can be made in Kelli's honor to the American Cancer Society.

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