Ethel “Fern” Tipton

Ethel “Fern” Tipton of Blue Springs, MO., formerly of Raytown, MO., passed away at the age of 93 on December 30, 2016.

Fern was born on September 1, 1923 to Harmon Clyde and Effie Mabel Jinkens on the family farm in Wheatland, MO.  She came to Kansas City, MO at the age of 20 and began her first job in the mail order department of Sears & Roebuck.  On May 28, 1948, she married Elzie “Noel” Tipton and to this union, 2 sons were born, Gary and Dennis. Noel and Fern enjoyed 55 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2003.  After the boys were in middle school, Fern worked briefly as a cafeteria worker for the Raytown School District before she moved on as the clerk in charge of the Post Office at Sam’s Department Store, in Raytown.  She held this position for 25 years before retiring.  Fern was known to many and enjoyed the friendships with her customers before and after her retirement.

Fern was honored by the Kansas City Royals by being asked to sit in the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat at Kauffman Stadium.  Among the many ways of giving back, she delivered Meals on Wheels for 20 years. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary and M.O.C.A. (Cooties) and served as Chaplain.  Also, she was a member of ABWA for 40 years and the Raytown Historical Society.

As a mother, she was a PTA president, a member of the Mothers Club, and a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts.  Fern was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Raytown, where she volunteered in many ways.  She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Outreach Leader, funeral committee chairwoman, and loved singing in the Jubilee Choir.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elzie “Noel” Tipton, her granddaughter Dara Tipton and her sister Genevieve Williamson.

She is survived by her sons, Gary Tipton (Janelle), Village of Loch Lloyd, MO; Dennis Tipton (Michele), Blue Springs, MO; grandchildren, Kent Tipton (Alicia), Lee’s Summit, MO; Mandy Lafferty, Village of Loch Lloyd, MO; Nathan Tipton, Merriam, KS; and Emily Tipton, Blue Springs, MO. Great-granddaughter, Lochlyn Lafferty, Village of Loch Lloyd, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Raytown, Bus Ministry or to M.O.C.A. #1, Martha Denney, Treasurer, 8819 Stark Ave., Kansas City, MO 64138

A visitation will be held from 9:30-11 AM, Saturday, January 7, 2017, with funeral services to follow at 11 AM at First Baptist Raytown, 10500 East State Route 350, Raytown, MO 64138. Graveside services will follow at Floral Hills Cemetery.