Donald Ellison

Donald Ellison, 74, of Roanoke, Va., went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2009, after a long battle with a chronic illness. Donald was born December 11, 1934, to the late Lewis William Ellison and Josephine Agnes Upton Ellison in Lookout, W.Va. He lived most of his life in West Virginia, but moved to Roanoke thirteen years ago to be near his daughter, Michelle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Starlene Yvonne Ellison, his sisters, Melba Orndorff, Edith Goff, Laura O'Callahan, Lucille Mitchell, Catherine Gibson, and Louise McClung, two brothers, Lewis (Foots) Ellison and Vernon (Sam) Ellison, and a very special nephew, Britton Elkins. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Tony Mardian, of Roanoke, Va.; a grandson, Jacob; and granddaughter, Bethany; a special and faithful sister, Margie Barber, of Daniels, W.Va.; brothers, Curtis Ellison, of Fayetteville, W.Va., and Clarence Ellison, of Pennsylvania; special friends, Myrtle Waugh and Joe Mullins, both of Roanoke, Va., and also numerous nieces and nephews. Don was blessed with many special neighbors in his apartments who cared for and comforted him daily. A special thank you to the Stephen Ministry at St. John Lutheran Church in Roanoke for being the hands and feet of Christ to Don. Also, a special thanks to Gentle Shepherd Hospice of Roanoke for loving Don and making his last year as comfortable as possible, especially nurse, Leigh Anne and social worker, Sonja Garber. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2009, at the Wallace and Wallace Chapel in Ansted with Chaplain Brian Whited officiating. Interment will follow at the Restlawn Cemetery in Victor, W.Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, 402 4th St., S.E., Roanoke, VA 24013. The family will receive friends between the hours of 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2009, before the service. There will be no evening visitation. Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Inc. of Ansted, W.Va.