Helen Ellis

Helen Jones Ellis PORTSMOUTH - Helen Jones Ellis, MD of Bermuda Village, N.C., died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at Forsyth Medical Center from complications due to Parkinson's disease. Dr. Ellis was born in Portsmouth on June 13, 1929 to Dr. and Mrs. Leroy L. Jones. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Claire Rawles. Helen graduated from Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Va., with a B.A. in 1950, and was a member of the Tri Delta sorority. She received her medical degree from Medical College of Virginia in Richmond in 1954. She served as college physician at Sweetbriar College and later at The Lynchburg Training School and Hospital (now Central Virginia Training Center). Artistically talented, Helen loved to paint, garden, cook, and sew. She was active in the Episcopal church for many years serving on the vestry, sewing frontals for the altar, and providing flowers for the services. She was a past commander of the Lake Norman Sail and Power Squadron. Helen is survived by her husband of 28 years, George J. Ellis, MD; by her four children, Ann Driskill Sole of Pasadena, Calif., and her husband Jerry, Mary Elizabeth Driskill of Charlottesville, Va., Dr. Robert L. Driskill and his wife Mary of Lynchburg, W. David Driskill and his wife Buffy of Norfolk; and by eight grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. in Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. The Rev. Steve Rice, the Rev. Dr. David Burr and the Rev. Sealy Cross will officiate. The family will receive guests at a reception following the service in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Winston- Salem, N.C., The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, or the charity of your choice. Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home of Advance, N.C., is in charge of the arrangements.