Obituary of Frances Ellis

Frances Rebecca Stephens Ellis of Richmond, formerly of Marion, Virginia, passed away at her home at Westminister Canterbury in Richmond on February 18, 2010. She was surrounded by her loving family and dedicated caregivers. She is survived by her daughters, Julia Ellis Kelly of Richmond and Cynthia Ellis Young and her husband Walter K. Young of Doylestown, Pa. , her sister, Ruth Payne C. Haynes, of Johnson City, Tenn. , her grandchildren, L. William Kelly, III and his wife Katherine, and Timothy Porter Kelly of Richmond, Elizabeth Kelly Baicy and her husband, John of Winston Salem, N.C. , Stuart Randolph Young and Lane Stephens Young of Doylestown, her great grandchildren, Harper Lee Kelly, Richmond, Joseph William Baicy and John Nicholas Baicy of Winston Salem, her nieces, Susan Rebecca Dunagan of Roanoke, Annette Ellis Osborne of Bluefield, Peggy Jo Ellis Gill of Carlyle, Mass., her nephews, Giles Lee Collins of Wytheville, James Lawrence Dunagan, Reston, and William Haynes of Johnson City. Born in 1917, in Wytheville, Virginia, Mrs. Ellis was the daughter of Ruth Payne and Joseph Lawrence Stephens. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Stuart Ellis, sisters, Julia Stephens Dunagan and Mary Agnes Crockett, her brother, Joseph Lawrence Crockett, her grandson, Robert Ellis Kelly and son in law, Dr. L. William Kelly, Jr. Mrs. Ellis held degrees from Longwood College and Radford University. She taught in Wythe County schools before her marriage. She married and moved to Marion in 1940. For many years, she taught fourth grade at Marion Intermediate School. She was a gifted musician and served as the organist for 30 years at Royal Oak Presbyterian Church in Marion where she was a member. She was involved in many musical events in the community and provided the music for many weddings and family events throughout the area. She most enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, golf and fishing. She instilled not only her love of music, but her enthusiasm for history, nature, and gardening in her daughters and grandchildren. She was a member of the Holston Hills Country Club, The Marion Garden Club, The Music Club of Marion, and The Daughters of the American Revolution. After the death of her husband, she moved to Richmond in 1993. She became a member of First Presbyterian Church, The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and The Women's Club. After she became a resident at Westminister Canterbury, she played for chapel services and various activities as long as her health allowed. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the dedicated medical and nursing staff, her wonderful caregivers, and pastoral care at Westminster Canterbury. In Richmond, a memorial service will be held in the chapel at Westminster Canterbury on Monday, February 22, 2010, at 1:30 pm. In Marion, the family will receive visitors at Seaver Brown Funeral Home Saturday morning, February 27, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a service in celebration of her life. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Parsons Health Services Staffing and Training Endowment at Westminster Canterbury Foundation, 1600 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Ellis Family.