Jo Ella Phares

Jo Ella Phares, age 86, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Anderson County Hospital in Garnett, Kansas.

Jo Ella Benjamin was born on August 20, 1936, on the family farm near Birch Switch (aka Benjaminville) west of Garnett, Kansas. She was the eighth of eight children born to Dite and Sarah Ella (Tilton) Benjamin. Jo Ella loved growing up on the farm and enjoyed sharing stories about the dairy farm, although she did not drink milk. Jo Ella graduated from Garnett High School in 1954. On September 17, 1955, Jo Ella was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Paul Eugene Phares in Garnett, Kansas. They were blessed with five children, Paula, Cheryl, Vicki, Rodney and Marcia. Paul and Jo Ella were lifelong residents of Garnett, living in their home on third street for over 55 years. Over the years Jo Ella worked as a dental hygienist for Dr. Watt before starting their family. While her children were young, she was able to be home with them. After her children were in school she then worked at Garnett Publishing Company, S&W Grocery Store and then several years as a clerk at Kingsolver Drugs / Auburn Pharmacy. In her "retirement" years she watched her great grandchildren before they were old enough to go to school. Jo Ella was a lifelong member of the Hyatt Club. In her free time Jo Ella enjoyed reading, doing word puzzles, bird watching, watching game shows, and all things Oak Ridge Boys related. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved her large family and cherished their get-togethers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Earl, Glen, Albert and Charles Benjamin; and three sisters, Lois Miller, Inez Cain, and Mariellen Gettler.

Jo Ella is survived by her husband of 67 years, Paul Phares; her five children and their families, Paula Wallace and Ernest of Garnett, Cheryl Harber and Rob of Shawnee, Kansas, Vicki Phares and David Ranney of Lawrence, Kansas, Rodney Phares of Garnett and Marcia Phares of Gladstone, Missouri; five grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Jo Ella's family will greet friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Library or ARC and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .