Clara Ellis

Clara Milbourne Ellis SUFFOLK - Clara Milbourne Ellis was called home to be with God Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at 5:30 a.m. She was born in Norfolk Feb. 14, 1910. She was the only daughter of four children born to Will and Mary Fentress Milbourne - two brothers died in infancy and brother, Charlie Milbourne, died in 1940. "Sissy," as she was called by family members and friends, was reared in a loving home. She joined First Calvary Chapel Baptist in 1938 under the leadership of the late Rev. Willis E. Keeling. She was the widow of John D. Ellis Sr. to whom she was married for 68 years. Survivors include daughters and their husbands, Maryland E. and John Smith of Chesapeake, Jenette E. and Ulysses Sapp of Portsmouth, Jean E. and Kenneth Keeling of Pittsburgh; three sons and their wives, John D. Ellis Jr. and Jessie Ellis of Hampton, Edwin L. and June Ellis of Suffolk, Charles F. and Barbara Ellis of Lawton, Okla. Clara also leaves behind 21 grandchildren, 46 great- grandchildren, and one great- great-grandchild, her namesake, baby Clara; a niece, Madeline Hall and her husband Earl Hall; and a nephew, John Milbourne. A brother, Charlie Milbourne, predeceased her. The funeral will be held at noon Friday, Dec. 11, at Woodland Avenue Baptist Church in Norfolk. The Rev. Marcus Jennings will be officiate.