Eleanor Grace Sumpter

Eleanor “Ellie” Grace (Adams) (Mayfield) Sumpter passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2018 in Bartlesville, OK. She was 86 years old and said many times that she had a long and blessed life. She was born on July 16, 1932 in Pawhuska, OK to George Ralph and Wilma (Pettibone) Adams. The family moved to Caney, KS the following year. She received all her education in Caney, graduating as Valedictorian of the class of 1950. On July 13, 1950, she was united in marriage with Garold B. Mayfield, the love of her life. To this union, six children were born. They established their business, Mayfield Construction in rural Caney. The business specialized in truck and railroad scales, grain bins, and elevator equipment. Garold passed away on February 22, 1978. She was an avid supporter of the Future Farmers of America in the 1960s through the 1980s supporting her children that excelled in this organization. She was one of the original organizers of the Caney FFA Alumni, where she was a lifelong member. She served on the Kansas FFA Alumni Board for four years, one as Chairman. She was the first woman nominated for the National Board. She held all three honorary degrees in FFA: local, state and national. She worked in the insurance business for many years throughout her lifetime. On October 1, 1983, she married E.L. (Red) Sumpter in Stateline, NV. They lived in rural Ramona, OK where Mr. Sumpter was engaged in the cattle business after retiring from Phillips Petroleum Company. Red adored Ellie and her family, and they were deeply saddened when he passed away on April 21, 1995. Eleanor was a member of the Tyro Christian Church. She enjoyed hearing David Bycroft preach the gospel and spending time with friends at church. She relied heavily on her faith throughout her life and was ready to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior. Ellie enjoyed attending the Caney Alumni Banquet each year in May and visiting with old classmates and friends. She was involved with some of the initial meetings to organize the Caney Alumni Association, and attended every reunion she could, even at age 84 in 2017. In 1996, she re-connected with a Caney classmate, Nolen Smith. While they never married, they have spent the last 22 years having fun together taking trips to the Grand Canyon, South Carolina and many other places in between and especially enjoyed a cruise to Alaska in 1997. She lovingly calls Nolen her “best friend”, and her children love him dearly for showering her with love and affection, and literally caring for her until her final breath. Along with Nolen, Ellie is survived by two daughters, Gina McBride and husband Dale of rural Caney and Gaylene Mayfield and wife Judy of Wichita, KS; and three sons, Mark Mayfield and wife Terry of Oro Valley, AZ, Jay Mayfield and wife Chor of Broken Arrow, OK and Elton Mayfield and wife Laura of Olathe, KS. Three step-children, Karen Sherrick of Nowata and Curt and Clay Sumpter. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she loved each one of them very much. She often joked that she wished she’d had the grandkids first ‘cause they were more fun! Mark’s children are Leah Fry of Smithville, MO, and fiancé George Hutchinson, and Leah’s children Delaney & Archer; Lindsay Schweitzer of Kansas City, MO, and her children Everett & Reid; Jay’s children are Ty Mayfield and wife Kim of Tulsa, OK, and their daughter Annalise; Aubry Tanner and husband David of Bixby, OK; Gina’s children are Brad Thomison and partner Joshua Pfister of Wichita, KS, and children Charlotte & Henry Pfister of Eureka, KS; Valerie Gehrer and husband Nick of Alta Vista, KS, and their children Ellie & Adam; and Elton’s children are Megan Willis and husband Dijon of Overland Park, KS, and their son Arthur; and Jacob and Audrey of Olathe, KS; Karen’s daughter is Tosha Wyatt and husband Trevor of Ochelata, OK, and their children Becker and Bale. She is also survived by several nieces & nephews, extended family members and a host of great friends. She was lovingly considered “Mom or Grandma” to many of her children’s friends and their families. Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Modena Lewis, two brothers Ralph Adams and Herb Adams; one son, Clint Mayfield; her son-in-law Justin Riley, her step-grandson Cody Downing; and one great-grandson, DJ Willis. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her honor to one of Eleanor’s favorite Caney organizations: The FFA Boosters, the Caney Alumni Association or the Caney Valley Historical Society. Donations for the FFA Boosters and the Caney Alumni Association can be taken or mailed to Community National Bank at 501 E. 4th, Caney, KS 67333. The Caney Historical Society donations can be taken or mailed to Arvest Bank, 301 W. 4th, Caney. Cards, flowers or donations can also be sent to Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville, OK. Friends who wish may sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org.

Eleanor Grace Sumpter

July 16, 1932 - December 1, 2018