Avis V. Stiles, age 98, of Joplin, Mo., passed away peacefully on Monday August 6, 2018, at her home.
Avis was born on February 21, 1920 in Atlantic, Ia., the daughter of the late Walter and Christine Matilda (Laursen) Nelson. She married Leslie E. Stiles on September 21, 1941 in Elk Horn, Ia. and together they raised four children. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She moved to Southwest Missouri in 1945 from Timber Lake, S.D. She worked fulltime as a mom. She was a faithful member of South Joplin Christian Church since 1948. She was an excellent bowler. In April of 2018 she was inducted into the Joplin Area Bowling Hall of Fame. She served as an election judge for fifty years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Leslie E. Stiles, on April 3, 1975. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Arnold and Lee Nelson; and five sisters, Katherine Nelson, Florence Peterson, Arlene Stephens, Doris Watkins, and Iola Mae Arakelian.
She is survived by two sons, Dr. Lanny E. Stiles and wife Kelli, Palmyra, Mo., and Richard L. Stiles and wife Maria, Blue Springs, Mo.; two daughters, Ellen Traver and husband Roger, Joplin, and Amy Stiles Duell and husband James, Colorado Springs, Co.; ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at South Joplin Christian Church. The Reverend Dr. Colleen Carroll will officiate. Burial will be in Carl Junction Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to South Joplin Christian Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

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