Ella May "Littlejohn" Culp

Ella May Culp "Littlejohn"
July 12 1911-February 17 2011

Ella May Culp passed away quietly Thursday February 17, 2011, at the home of her daughter, Letha Virginia Wilson, in Olympia where she had been living for the past few years. Ella would have reached her lOO birthday on July 12 of this year. She was the last child born of Charles Wesley Littlejohn and Iva May Brainard, who were married February 6, 1901 in Olympia. Ella was of pioneer stock and many of the Littlejohn family remain on part of the original homestead south Olympia in the Littlerock area. She graduated from Littlerock High School at the age of 16, after being moved ahead a year.
Ella met Ellis Orville Culp "Bud", while he was employed by the Littlejohn Logging Co. in Olympia. They married on August 16, 1933 in Olympia. Their first year was spent in Eureka, California in a romantic cottage on the ocean beach. They returned to Olympia for the birth of their first child, Rodney Vernon Culp. Three daughters followed: Enid May Culp, Roberts (Harold), Letha Virginia Wilson and Marleen Eleanor Culp. Bud and Ella made their home out Butler Cove. Ella was a homemaker until her children were grown at which time she was employed by the State Dept. of Employment Security. She and Bud enjoyed their retirement from the state, often fishing in the sound and ocean out of the yachts Bud built and named after Ella. One of the highlights of their life was their l985 cruise to Alaska.
Ella was predeceased by her husband, Ellis 0. Culp; granddaughter, Linda Susan Fuller; brothers, Chester Little-john, Elwin Littlejohn, and sister, Rena Swanson; as well as a number of nieces and nephews. She is survived by her 4 children; 12 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and 14 great great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She lived a quiet life enjoying her books, garden, family, friends and her tea. Ella will be missed by many.
A memorial service will be held at the Sheriff Posses' Hall in Littlerock on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. All who knew her are welcome to attend.