Mary Evelyn (Dillard) Ley, 95, of Strafford died of natural causes on June 6, 2025 at Springfield Villa in Springfield, Missouri. She was born at home on November 26, 1929 to James D. and Thelma (King) Dillard on property the Dillard family homesteaded near Strafford in 1837. Mary was valedictorian of Strafford High School's class of 1947. She married Billy Joe Shelley on July 7, 1949 after meeting as pen pals during his time in the US Navy. Bill and Mary had five children before Bill tragically died at the age of 35, leaving Mary to raise their children alone. After Bill's death, she earned an Associate Degree from West Valley Community College in San Jose, California in 1969.

Mary had a second marriage that took the family from California to Colorado, where they owned and operated a restaurant and motel in Loveland, Colorado for thirteen years before divorcing in 1983. Mary married her third husband, Elmer Ley, on September 12, 1985. She and Elmer returned to the remaining portion of her family's homestead in the early 1990s. After returning to the area, Mary became a member of the Highlands Fiber Artists Guild, and served on the Greene County Historical Association and Strafford Historical Society boards.

Mary believed that it was essential to have a purpose in life. She expressed this through her love of fiber arts and by teaching others to knit, tat, sew and weave. Mary was always giving away her handmade items to friends, family members and even strangers. She was also passionate about preserving the history of both her family's time in Greene County, as well as that of the Strafford community. She loved nothing more than sharing stories of the past and documenting her memories to preserve them for the future.

Mary was an avid reader, fabulous cook and loved making new friends from all walks of life. Mary will be remembered for her resourcefulness, wit, creativity and curiosity, as well as her ability to improvise and make do. She was a life-long musician and played the piano, accordion, drums, flute and other various instruments; a talent that would see her playing at the Oakland United Methodist Church on Division well into her 80's.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Elmer, son Quentin R. Shelley and step-son Elmer Ley, Junior. She is survived by her brother James L. Dillard of Indianapolis, Indiana, and her children, Cindy A. Shelley of Strafford, Marcus A. Shelley (Irene) of Lansing, Michigan, Lydia S. Shelley of Loveland, Colorado, Amelia J. Shelley (Jim Reuss) of Vancouver, Washington and step-daughter Linda Warehime (Joe Buderus) of Evans, Colorado. Mary has eleven grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and five great, great-grandchildren plus two more on the way.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary's name to the Strafford Senior Center or the Springfield Greene County Library Foundation . The family would like to thank the staff at Springfield Villa and Preferred Hospice for the care and attention Mary received during her stay with them. They made her feel loved and honored, and helped make this time easier for her family.

A celebration of life will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 1947 E Seminole St. in Springfield on June 27 at 10:30 am CST. There will be a live stream of the event available on the Gorman-Scharpf website through this link. A private graveside interment for the family will be held at Danforth Cemetery following the service. The family will hold a reception for friends of Mary at the Strafford Senior Center located at 201 W Bumgarner Blvd in Strafford starting at 1:30 pm that same day. Condolences can be sent to 6677 East Dillard Lane, Strafford, MO 65757, care of Cindy Shelley.

Livestream: https://evt.live/mary-evelyn-ley-memorial-service