Freda Mildred Nellis, 100, of Arkansas City, KS passed away at Alderbrook Village on October 24, 2023. Celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Dexter Christian Church with burial in Dexter Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

She was born on April 23, 1923, on a farm east of Dexter, the third daughter of William Russell and Rozell (Rush) Bennett. She attended grade school at Highland and Dexter Schools and all high school years at Dexter graduating in 1941. As a senior she had the honor of being selected as Miss Dexter for the Arkalalah parade in Arkansas City.

Freda married Paul Eugene Nellis on Sunday April 19, 1942, at the parsonage of First Christian Church in Winfield. They lived in Winfield and later Wichita before moving to the farm homesteaded by Paul's grandparents east of Dexter in 1949. They lived there 31 years before building a new home one half mile south. After Paul's death on December 31, 2001, she moved to Arkansas City in 2003, then moved to Alderbrook Village in 2020.

Freda had a great love for both piano and organ music and played for Dexter Christian Church for many years where she had been a lifelong member. She taught Sunday School classes and helped with many church functions and dinners.  She was a member of the Highland Community Club. She was a dedicated farm wife and mother and later worked for Binney & Smith Crayola factory in Winfield, KS for over 12 years, retiring in 1988.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Lieurettia Rush, Eula Smith, and Veda McClure, her husband, granddaughter, Stephanie Legleiter, two sons-in-law, Junior Shorter and Henry Hawkins.

She is survived by one son Norman Nellis (Nancy) of Topeka, two daughters, Janet Hawkins of Winfield, Virginia Hensley (Steve) of Arkansas City.  Sister-in-law Doris Davidson of Topeka; Grandchildren Amy Sherretts (John) of Valley Falls, Angela Smith (Kevin) of Yukon, Ok, Clinton Shorter of Dexter, Jason Nellis (Janet), Greg Nellis (Dayna) all of Valley Falls, Amber Endicott, (Dustin) of Arkansas City and grandson-in-law Kurt Legleiter of Arkansas City.  Great grandchildren Bailey Grey, Hunter Sherretts Woulfe, Tucker Sherretts, Kenzie, Haley and Brady Nellis, Jack and Jett Nellis, Cale Shorter, Zachary, Abbey, Blake Legleiter, and Cooper Endicott.  Great great grandchildren, Hadleigh, Tate, and Beau Grey.

Memorial gifts are suggested to be given to Dexter Christian Church and to Ark City Christian Academy and may be given through the funeral home.