Mary Jane Ellis

Mary Jane Ellis, known as "Jane", was born on September 28, 1922, to Emma Mae Hatcher Bryant and William Ellis Bryant, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She was raised in Paducah, Kentucky where her father was the Chief of Police. In 1945 she married John Ragan Ellis, Jr, and they traveled extensively during his twenty year career as a pilot in the United States Air Force. They spent sixty-two wonderful years together before his death, November 07, 2007. Jane worked as a legal secretary, and in real estate. She loved to bowl, was an excellent bridge player and loved knitting for her family and friends, creating sweaters and afghans for special occasions. Jane was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Corona Baptist Church of Chandler, Arizona. Jane is survived by her three daughters, and their families, Nancy Ellis, a retired teacher and coach from Dobson High School, Marcia and Gary Drost, who live in College Station, TX where Marcia teaches math at Texas A&M, and Judy and Greg Larkins, who live in Mesa, AZ, where Judy teaches math at Higley High School. Jane and John had five grandchildren, Sue and Matt Weems, Becky and Chris Lentz, Mike and Katy Drost, Jennifer Drost, and Tracy and Stephen Mead. Jane adored her grandchildren and her eight great-grandchildren: Ransom, Memphis, Cora Jo, and Jedidah Weems, Ellie and Mary Drost, & Samantha and Christopher Mead. She was also survived by her loving sister-in-law, Loudene Ellis, and her two nephews and their families, Dave and Katherine Ellis, and Paul Ellis. Jane was laid to rest on Saturday, May 10, in a private family ceremony at Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery in Chandler, AZ. Her daughter Judy sang Jane's favorite song, "I Believe in Miracles", a testimony to her strong Christian faith. A Memorial service will be held at 10 AM, Monday, May 26, 2008 in the chapel of Bueler Mortuary, 14 W. Hulet Dr., Chandler, AZ 85225. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Hospice of Arizona.