Eleanor Jean Tobey

Eleanor “Jean” Tobey completed her long journey through life at the age of 98 on March 24, 2022. She was born on March 1, 1924. She grew up in Eminence, MO and although she lived in the St. Louis area for the past 50 years Eminence was always home. She married Lonnie Banks in 1941 and they had 3 sons: John, Alan, and Pat. John and Pat died when children, Alan survives.

She married Gene Tobey in 1967 and moved to St. Louis where she worked at three different office jobs before retiring when she was about 70. She was a step-mother to Gene’s children, David and Linda (Alexiades) and loved them and their children.

She was descended from some of the first residents of the Eminence area, Joshua Chilton and Thomas Freeman. She had a life-long interest in history and genealogy and compiled extensive family histories for her branch of the Williams family and, Gene’s Tobey family. She also documented the life of her ancestor, Thomas Roe Freeman and his exploits during the Civil War. She was a life member of the Shannon County Museum Association.

She grew up in the Methodist church. Her father, Everett Thomas, was in charge of construction of the church building at Eminence and her uncle Cecil Thomas built the native cedar work inside. Her mother’s family were Methodists and her grandfather on her father’s side was a Methodist minister. As long as she lived in Eminence she was a faithful member of the church and was the longest living member of the church at the time of her death.

She was the last member of the Eminence Class of 1941. Some of her classmates were Dan Searcy, Leroy Lewis, Mary Lee Honeycutt, Ruth (Key) Thornton, and Wilson Sprugin. She was class valedictorian.

After Gene died she always hoped to move back to Eminence but her health problems did not permit it. Per her wishes her body was cremated and her ashes will return. There will be a memorial gathering for her in Eminence, tentatively in late April. If anyone wishes to make a donation in her memory please consider the Shannon County Museum or the Eminence Methodist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.alexanderstlouis.com for the Tobey family.