Ella May (Clinton) Bunnell Phillips, 76, of Independence, Missouri passed into the Lord's hands on November 15, 2013 at the Saint Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City, MO with family at her side. Ella was born March 10, 1937 in Stilwell, OK one of five siblings to Jess and Cora Scott Clinton. She attended school in Stilwell until she met and wed Nathan (Bud) Jr. Bunnell of Cincinnati, AR. They were united in marriage on July 5, 1952 in Van Buren, AR. They moved to Independence in 1959. Ella was a homemaker and Bud was a baker for Interstate Bakeries in KC. During the 1960's through the 1970's Ella served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a volunteer for the Jackson County Democratic Party, and an active member of the Omicron Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, KC Royals Stadium Club, and Women's Slow Pitch Softball League. It was through her employment at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant as an ammunition primer inspector that stimulated her interest in a military career. Ella enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve in 1977, serving twenty years as an Aviation Storekeeper traveling stateside and abroad. Ella loved the Navy, baseball, western novels, gardening, international travel, and her constant companions, Siamese cats Samurai and Sassi. Survivors include; her brother, Floyd Tuell, Buckner, MO; sisters, Anna Bell Blevins, Tulsa, OK and Imogene Clark, Independence, MO; her children, Nathan L. Bunnell, Independence, MO, Debra Sue Bunnell, Belton, MO, Jacci Bunnell Stewart, Comanche, TX, Brad (wife Julie) Bunnell, Independence, MO, Patricia Elizabeth (Bunnell) (husband Gene) Denney, Kansas City, MO; 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death were her husband Nathan (Bud) Bunnell; parents Jess and Cora Clinton; sister, Opal W. McCulloch; great-granddaughter Chelsea R. Bennett; brother-in-laws Millard Clark, Joe Collins, and James McCulloch.
Visitation services will be held at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 Lexington Ave. Independence, MO 64052 from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, November 20th. Military honors and graveside services will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 20109 Business Hwy. 13, Higginsville, MO at 11:00am on Thursday, November 21st, followed by a Celebration of Life dinner at the Community of Christ Church, 1137 S. Pearl St. Independence, MO.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)