Nancee Jean Jones

Nancee Jean Jones, 50, passed away on June 7, 2025 at Beth Haven Nursing Home. She was born in Kansas City, MO on October 5, 1974, the youngest child of Richard U. and Dorliss J. (Fike) Jones. She moved to Hannibal just before her first birthday. Service are being coordinated by Smith Funeral Home & Chapel in Hannibal, MO.

Bowling played an important role in Nancee’s life. Her mother worked at a bowling alley during her pregnancy, even going into labor while there. Her siblings learned of her birth while they were at the bowling alley and it was at a bowling alley that she met the love of her life, Tony Rodriguez, with whom she has spent more than 23 years.  She has passed her love for bowling to the daughter they share, Rylee Rodriguez.

She attended Hannibal Public Schools graduating from Hannibal High School in 1993. She attended Culver-Stockton College for two years and finished her college education graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Northwest Missouri State University (NWMSU) in 1998.

Nancee loved dance growing up. She participated in many recitals and competitions for the dance studio.  She was able to incorporate this into her participation in flag corps (HHS, NWMSU) and pompom (CSC). During her years at NWMSU, her participation in flag corps gave her the opportunity to perform in several half-time shows at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of her favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs.

A hardcore fan, when Nancee attended Kansas City Chiefs games, there was no doubt what team she was cheering for as she dressed and often painted her face to show her team spirit. If Nancee was not attending a Chiefs home game at Arrowhead, you would find her cheering them on from wherever she was.

Nancee was creative, often designing costumes for Rylee (and herself) for Halloween. She was always ready to create a costume for Rylee whenever needed whether it was for Tomboy Sawyer, a dress up day at school or work, or just for fun. Her affinity for Star Wars drew her to Comic Con creating more costumes for this event. It was amazing how she could take something so ordinary turning it into something amazing.

Nancee, Tony and Rylee loved going to the Farmer’s Market, where they made many friends. They also enjoyed the local festivals and carnivals where they would look for corn dogs or fried Oreos. As a family they supported Special Olympics and participating in Autism Walks both locally and in Kansas City.

Having lived in Hannibal until she was 18, Nancee moved to Jefferson City, MO following college and then to Kansas City, MO before returning home to Hannibal in 2007. She worked for Douglas Community Center for more than 17 years supporting the Head Start programs.

Nancee is survived by Tony Rodriguez, daughter Rylee Rodriguez both of Hannibal and stepson Logan Keller of Lake of the Ozarks. She is also survived by her parents, Richard and Dorliss Jones also of Hannibal She often said that as the youngest, she didn’t have two sisters, but three mother figures. She is survived by those sisters Beth (Mark) Wilson of Kansas City, MO and Lynn (Darrell) Orr of Kinderhook, IL as well as her brother David Jones of Hannibal. Alicia (Linsey) Laughlin was often more of a sister than a niece. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family. She will be missed by their cats that were her fur babies.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Marshall and Gladys Jones and Claud and Opha Fike.

Visitation celebrating Nancee's life will be held 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM June 14, 2025, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel with a Memorial Service to follow. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church cemetery in Hatton, MO.

The family ask that people wear Kansas City Chiefs or Autism Awareness apparel to honor Nancee. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials may be made to Cuddle Cat Rescue, Hannibal Humane Society or Learning Opportunities/Quality Works, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.