Joni Mabary

JONI MABARY

Velva Joan Mabary “Joni”, a Fashion Icon and trailblazer for women in business, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 31, 2025, at the vibrant age of 83.

Joni was born on February 22, 1942 in Parkin, Arkansas during the Great Depression. Growing up during the lean years of the Great Depression taught Joni the value of hard work, persistence and tenacity.

In 1958 Joni married Clyde Russell.  Joni and Clyde were proud parents of two ornery boys, Douglas Ray Russell and Dennis Clyde Russell.

Joni had a love for fashion at a young age.  She spent her early years working at Jesters Department Store on the weekends in addition to her full-time job at Lake City Army & Ammunition Plant during the Vietnam War.

Joni left her job at Lake City to pursue her love for fashion fulltime.  She co-opened a new boutique Joni Jeans, in Harrisonville and Pleasant Hill.  Joni later purchased the boutique and opened Joni Fashions.

Joni Fashions quickly became a staple of style for women’s clothing in Cass County. Joni was one of the first female small business owners in Cass County.  Her tenaciousness and grit were essential for success due to women being unable to obtain a bank loan, car insurance or credit card solely in their own name. Joni owned and operated Joni Fashions six days a week for 54 years: only closing due to her pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Joni was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth & Melva Ware; her sister-in-law, Karen Ware; her boys, Douglas Ray Russell and Dennis Clyde Russell and an infant grandson, Dennis Russell Jr.

Joni is survived by her brother Jay Ware of Harrisonville; her sister Janice (Charlie) Hook of Blue Springs; grandchildren, Shanna Russell of Raytown, Dennis Russell (Elizabeth) of Independence, Kolton Russell of Holden, Dusty Russell (Nakeita Baker) of Garden City; several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, other relatives and many, many friends.

The family of Joni Mabary will host a “Celebration of Life” from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M. Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the Elks Lodge, 2400 N. State Route 291, Harrisonville, MO., 64701.

A graveside service for Joni Mabary will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, September 15, 2025 at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Hill, MO. with Pastor David Noble officiating.

Contributions are suggested to Hospice Support Foundation and may be mailed to 1175 Centerpoint Circle, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120