Ellen Wise

Ellen Earlene Wise PORTSMOUTH - Ellen Earlene Wise, 68, went to be with her heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. Mrs. Wise was born in Portsmouth, the daughter of the late Catherine Jeanette Lilienthal and Elmer E. Ricks. Mrs. Wise was a member of Western Branch Community Church where she was a worship leader and member of the choir. Mrs. Wise attained her associate degree in nutrition and took courses in sign language so she could communicate with all the children in her school. She was a member of the Virginia School Food Service Association. She worked more than 30 years as a cafeteria manager for the Portsmouth Public Schools where she was an organizer and strong supporter of implementing the breakfast and summer feeding programs. Mrs. Wise was predeceased by her parents and her husband of 50 years, Steve Wise Sr. She is survived by her children: son, Steve Wise Jr. and Sachi; daughter, Catherine Wise; grandchildren, Paula, Trevor, Tyron, Steve III and Craig; and two great-grandchildren, Sasha and Jah. Also surviving Mrs. Wise are her sister, Julia Sugg and a brother, E.E. "Butch" Ricks. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to her caregiver and good friend, Maria Brooks. A funeral to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Western Branch Community Church with Dr. Jim Wall officiating. The family will receive friends at the church for an hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. Memorial donations in Mrs. Wise name may be made to your local foodbank. It was her goal to never see a child go hungry. Online condolences and Mrs. Wise guestbook may be signed at www.lovingfuneralhome.com.