ELLINWOOD — Nellie A. Campbell Hamby, 97, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital on June 5th, 2026. Born on Nov. 25, 1928 in Arnica, Mo., she was the daughter of Elmer and Cora (Estes) Rains. Nellie grew up in Polk Country, Mo. She married Ray Campbell on Jan. 15, 1940 in Cedar County, Mo. He passed away on Oct. 24, 1962. She later married Leland Hamby on May 18, 1966 in Oklahoma. He passed away Nov. 23, 2000. Nellie was an Ellinwood, Kan. resident since 1976 formerly of Aldrich, Mo. She will always be remembered as an excellent wife, homemaker, mother, and grandmother and will be deeply missed.

Nellie was preceded in death by two husbands; seven children, Raylene Keith, Barbara Carstens, James Hamby, Dale Hamby, Linda Stevens, Elaine Pyle, Dorothy Alumbaugh; and five siblings, Marvin Rains, Frances Rains, Loren Rains, Burl Rains, and Arlene Houston. Survivors include children, Terry Hamby, Waco, Texas, Billy Hamby, Missouri, Kathleen Cox (Howard), Adrian, Mo., Hazelene Clayton, Apalachiola, Fla., Donna Crow, Ellinwood, Kan.; 23 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 23 great-great grandchildren; and three great-great-great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and memorial services with private inurnment at Alder Cemetery in Stockton, Mo. will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested towards funeral expenses in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel

P.O. Box 246

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 11, 2026