Crettie Batson

POMONA -- Crettie A. Ellis Franklin Batson, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 6:27 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2011. She passed away at home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was of Pentecostal faith and was a member of Trinity Pentecostal Tabernacle in Jonesboro.

Services for Mrs. Batson will be at 1 p.m. today at Pettett Funeral Home in Murphysboro with the Rev. Geoff Bond officiating and burial at Dutch Ridge Cemetery in Pomona. Visitation will be until 1 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Blue West Team of Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. For more information, visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

She was born Crettie Aldean Fuller on Dec. 8, 1922, in Mount Vernon to Harold Gay and Eva Ivern (Choate) Fuller.

Crettie married Howard Orvil Ellis on Dec. 26, 1939, in Old Jackson, Mo., and he went to be with the Lord on Nov. 13, 1986. From this union they were blessed with nine children.

She is survived by two sons and their wives, Delmond and Pam Ellis of Murphysboro and David and Pam Ellis of Pittsburg; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lois (Janiece) and Donald Penrod of Pomona, Kathy and Randy Wheaton of Jonesboro, and Karen and Jack Hicks of Pomona; three daughters-in-law, Ruth Ellis of California, Mo., Goldie Ellis of Pomona, and Norma Ellis of Murphysboro; 28 grandchildren; and 101 great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, all whom she loved very much.

She also leaves behind a wonderful sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Eldin Rea of Granite City; and two loved sisters-in-law, Ruth Fuller and Roberta Fuller, both of Granite City; as well as seven stepchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Crettie was a homemaker, and a wonderful cook. She loved to sew, especially for her family. She had no limits to what she could make.

Most of all she loved church and attended regularly until her health prevented it, but always kept a song and praise in her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her three husbands, Howard Orvil Ellis, Clarence "Bob" Franklin and Lee Batson; an infant daughter, Leone; three sons, Deon, Leon and Eldon; several grandchildren; and two brothers, James and Wayne Fuller.

The family greatly appreciated Blue West Team of Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., for their compassion and care for Crettie. She was deeply loved and will be missed greatly.