Evafae Jeffries

March 12, 1911 – February 8, 2014

Evafae Jeffries passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Schuyler County Nursing Home in Queen City, Missouri.

Evafae was born on March 12, 1911 to James Roy and Mable Otha (Frank) Schupbach in rural Downing, Missouri in Schuyler County. She was united in marriage to William "Olin" Jeffries on November 15, 1930 and to this union two children were born, Marylu and Robert Royce.

Evafae is survived by her children: Marylu (Jeffries) Bennett of Downing, Missouri and Royce Jeffries and wife, Sara (Farris) Jeffries of Downing, Missouri; 6 grandchildren, Janet (Bennett) Blaise, Roger Bennett and wife, Debra (Stottlemyer) Bennett, Jeff Bennett and wife, Missy (King) Bennett, Stephanie (Jeffries) Campbell and husband, Don Campbell, Jane (Jeffries) West and husband, Dan Johnson, Monica (Jeffries) Puls and husband, Eric Puls; 13 great grandchildren, David Lynn Blaise and wife, Sheryl, Jennifer (Blaise) Myers and husband, Eli Mayers, Brian Blaise and wife, Sheila, Sabrina Bennett, Taylor Bennett, Tabitha Bennett, Shelby Bennett, Jessica Bennett, Kristi (Campbell) Groseclose and husband, Ryan, Kristopher Campbell and wife, Megan (Burns) Campbell, Jacqueline Malone, Katherine Puls and Alexandria Puls; one step great grandchild, Amber Miller; 11 great great grandchildren, Grace Mayers, Jeremiah Mayers, Karenza Blaise, Keily Blaise, Spencer Campbell, Lilyann Groseclose, Jarrett Groseclose, Kase Campbell, Raeleigh Campbell, Hailey Aguero and Ares Aguero; one niece, Cathy Major; one nephew, Robert "Bobby" Schupbach and one special friend, Becky (Howard) Polynice.

Evafae is preceded in death by her husband, William "Olin" Jeffries in 1994; her parents; one brother, Russell B. Schupbach and his wife, Verlee and one son-in-law, Irvin Bennett.

Evafae grew up in Downing, Missouri, where she taught at Hickory Grove School after she graduated from Kirksville Teachers College in 1928.

After she was married, Evafae and Olin raised horses, cattle and sheep on the Jeffries Ranch, 3 miles west of Downing where they were asked by Walt Disney to move to California and train horses for his movies. However, they remained here and started a locker plant, grocery store and restaurant along with farming.

Evafae was a life long member of the Downing Christian Church, where she was a charter member of the Ladies Aid.

For 25 years, Evafae donated her time to the Downing Depot Museum and she also spent many years as a 4-H Leader.

Evafae was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She loved to quilt, crochet and work in her garden and yard.

Evafae's family and friends will miss hearing her say, "Now I'm going to reminisce a little…"

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Services will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Downing Christian Church in Downing, Missouri with Larry Smith, Pastor of the Downing Christian Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Downing Depot Museum in Downing, Missouri. Burial will be in the Downing Cemetery in Downing, Missouri. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster and Downing, Missouri.