Ella Mae Kleypas

Ella Mae Smith Kleypas was born on Feb 8, 1923 in Farmersville, Texas to Annie Mae Allison Smith and J. Bryan Smith, granddaughter of L.L. and Tennie Wisdom Allison, and John K. Smith and Ella Lane Harris Smith.

She attended school in Farmersville and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class in 1940.  She was an honor graduate of Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas in 1943.  She was a lifelong Baptist and was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Farmersville in 1936.  

Ella Mae met Melvin B. Kleypas in Tyler, Texas and they were married August 14, 1944.  They were married for 65 years until his death in 2009.  After living in many cities, she and Melvin retired to a farm in Garden City, Missouri in 1977.  They were active in antique collecting and raising registered Angus cattle.  

She was a homemaker and participated in school and church functions, as well as many arts and crafts activities.  She was a member of AAUW,  LaSertoma, Cass County Homemakers, and Cass County Hospital Volunteers.

She is survived by son Larry Kleypas and wife Pam Green of Grant's Pass, Oregon; daughter Ann Case and husband Craig of Topeka, Kansas; son Mark Kleypas and wife Scottie of Kansas City, Missouri, 2 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Ella passed away in her sleep Dec 19, 2022 at her apartment in Overland Park, Kansas.

Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery, Farmersville, Texas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. The date, time and place will be posted when that information becomes available.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Farmersville, Texas and may be sent in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.