Jane Ashley

(From Parker Mortuary)

Rebecca Jane Ashley, known lovingly as Jane, passed from this life on August 24, 2026, in Duenweg, Missouri, at the age of 86. She was the daughter of the late Robert Treece and Virgie Treece "Smith" leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, generosity, and joy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Jane was born on October 18, 1939, in Webb City, Missouri, and she carried the spirit of her hometown with her throughout her life. She was a 1957 graduate of Webb City High School where she carried the same spirit of encouragement and loyalty that followed her through every season of her life, and she lived with a heart that lifted others wherever she went.

She devoted several years of her life to working as a home healthcare provider, where she helped care for and comfort her patients with kindness and compassion. Her work was more than a job. It was a calling. She understood the power of presence, the value of a gentle hand, and the importance of making people feel seen, safe, and cared for. In every home she entered and every life she touched, she brought warmth, dignity, and reassurance.

Jane was a Christian whose faith was the foundation of her life. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ deeply, and she often said, "I can't wait for that first hug from Jesus." That statement reflected the hope that guided her, the peace that sustained her, and the joy that filled her heart. She lived with the kind of faith that was not only spoken, but seen in the way she loved others, served others, and forgave freely. Her life was a testimony to what it means to walk with purpose and trust in God's promises.

She was a mother and grandmother to all of her grandchildren and all of their friends throughout their lives and her love reached far beyond titles and boundaries. She never met a stranger, and her stories of the people she encountered and the fellowship they shared were endless. She had a gift for making others feel welcome, valued, and included. Her home, her heart, and her conversation were open to everyone, and many were blessed by her laughter, her wisdom, and her unmistakable warmth.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Melissa Kingery and Jeff of Duenweg, MO. She adored her six grandchildren, Greg Kingery and Holly, Elizabeth Mitchell and Joesph, Isaiah Kingery and Adalyn, Emily Kingery, Savannah Kingery, and Malaya Branch, all of Duenweg, MO. She also leaves behind her four great-grandchildren, Noah Kingery, Scarlett Kingery, Agnes Mitchell, and Amelia Mitchell, all of Duenweg, MO and her second daughter, Linda Connell and Randy of Seneca, MO. Her family was the center of her world, and her love for them was unmatched. She loved to laugh, and nobody ever had a conversation with her that did not end with a hug.

Jane also gave herself to her community in meaningful ways. Each year she volunteered with the Salvation Army, helping to prepare meals and deliver them while also assisting in a number of community roles. Through her faithful service, she received the Volunteer of the Year award, a fitting recognition for a woman who lived to help others. She did not seek attention or praise, but her impact was impossible to miss.

Those who knew Jane will remember her as loving, generous, and faith filled. She lived by the words, "It's not about the storm, it's about dancing in the rain," and she truly embodied that message. She faced life with courage, grace, and a joyful determination to keep moving forward no matter what came her way. She taught others that strength is not found in avoiding hardship, but in meeting it with faith, love, and a grateful heart.

Rebecca Jane Ashley lived a life that mattered. She loved deeply, served faithfully, and encouraged others simply by being herself. Her presence was a blessing, her laughter was a gift, and her memory will remain a source of comfort and inspiration. Though she has left this earthly life, the love she gave, the faith she shared, and the lives she touched will continue to speak for her.

A celebration of life service will take place on Thursday, September 3rd at 6 p.m. at the Calvary Chapel of Joplin located at 4899 E 7th St, Joplin, MO 64801

The arrangements are being handled under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary.