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Betty Cleo Grant Ellington

FUNERAL HOME

A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory

2773 North Decatur Road

Decatur, Georgia

Betty Ellington Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

ELLINGTON, Betty Betty Cleo Grant Ellington, 92, formerly of Clarkston, GA passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2008, at Sacred Journey Hospice in McDonough, following a brief illness. She was predeceased by her husband, Jesse W. Ellington and her son Dr. Patrick Ellington. Mrs. Ellington was born on January 24, 1916 in Alto, the daughter of the late James A. Grant and Violet E. Grant. She was a graduate of Piedmont College and taught school for over 40 years in the DeKalb County School System. She was an active member and church pianist at Clarkston International Bible Church, formerly Clarkston Baptist Church. She was a Golden Sister member of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority for 51 years. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Karen Ellington, Ft. Myers, FL; sister, Ruth G. Webster, Cornelia; nephews, Jim Brewer, Statham, Vance Grant, Jr., Jackson, TN; and many grand nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at Clarkston International Bible Church with Pastor Phil Kitchin and Michael Brewer officiating. Interment, Level Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Cornelia at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clarkston International Bible Church, 3895 Church St., Clarkston, GA 30021. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Monday at A. S. Turner & Sons.

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Nov. 3, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Betty Ellington

17 Entries

Don Bagwell

June 17, 2022

In reminiscing about influential teachers to my children made me remember Mrs. Ellington, as she was the best teacher I ever had. Yes, she was my 8th English teacher, 1963, at Clarkston High School. I was changing classes and on the way to her room when we heard about JFK. Though I am just now finding this obit, I see many other fellow students have shared comments here. So many had the good fortune to benefit from her class. May God bless her family and all who have shared memories here.

David Hurgeton

July 3, 2018

Aboard, about, above... Mrs. Ellington was my 8th grade English teacher at Clarkston High School in '72-'73. I will remember her always as an unforgettable force for the English language.

theo ellington fisher

November 24, 2008

I first became acquainted with Betty when I met her husband, Jesse,, a fellow genealogist as we searched for kissing kin.Betty was always the gracious, genteel hostess who was always willing and eager to share his varied interests Many thanks ,Betty.

Pamela McCoy

November 7, 2008

I was so sorry to hear about Mrs. Ellington. She was dear to our whole family.
My two sisters were also taught by Mrs. Ellington. When I graduated, she told my daddy that "we got them through school, Mr. Anderson"
We also attended Clarkston Baptist Church (now Clarkston International Bible Church). She played the piano then.
My sisters, my mother and I send our condolences. We know that she is now with the Lord.
Mrs. Leona Anderson
Frances Anderson Kitchens
Elaine Anderson Fowler
Pamela Anderson McCoy

Beverly Purswell

November 6, 2008

I was sitting in Mrs. Ellington's class the day that JFK was killed. She was a great tribute to the teaching profession.

Lee Ann (Tate) Powell

November 6, 2008

I too had Mrs. Ellington for 8th grade English. I graduated from Clarkston in 1981 and still remember exactly where I sat in her class.

I've really enjoyed reading the entries with memories of the ear bobs and especially the prepositions. It's amazing I can still rattle them off. My oldest child is now experiencing grammar classes and his homework brings back Mrs. Ellington.

I remember her wearing boots too, but mostly I remember her enthusiam for learning and her love for her students.

Carmen Dillard

November 5, 2008

So many of us owe our mastery of the English language and life's lessons learned in 8th grade to Mrs. Ellington. I attribute my love of writing to this wonderful teacher. Like her, I entered the field of education and after becoming an elementary school principal, crossed paths with her a few years ago when I became a member of ADK. After all the years, she knew me immediately (as I believe she did most of her students), and took every opportunity let others know she had been my 8th grade English teacher...something that made us both proud...:)

I will also remember her fondness for ear bobs, scarves, playing the piano, and Georgia Tech. What a legacy...It is hard to put a number on just how many lives she touched.

Carmen Belcher Dillard

Shawn Butler

November 5, 2008

So many of the stories and feelings expressed herein reflect my memories of Mrs. Ellington. Over the years I have often thought about those parts of speech and prepositions (especially when my son was going through his own "language arts" classes).

I too remember the "If every student were just like me, what kind of ..." mantra and must admit have used it on occasion.

Although no longer with us, she remains a treasure and a guiding influence in so many of her former students' lives.

Thanks Mrs. Ellington for being the type of teacher (person) we all aspire to be -

Shawn Butler (Clarkston '78)

Shirley Cardell Hill

November 4, 2008

How do you write something about someone as wonderful as Miss Betty? I was one of the fortunate few who had her for English classes two years in a row because of changes in class schedules at the old Clarkston Elementary School - the old rock building for those who might remember. I, like so many other blessed individuals, learned the eight parts of speech and the 48 prepositions. My children all hated my recalling this for them whenever I would help with their homework. Just wish we could go back to the way she taught us. I have so many wonderful memories of Miss Betty - from school, church, and related activities. Her piano playing lives with me today and will forever as my memories run deep. She graciously played family requests at my father's funeral service and I know he is very pleased to have her with him today. Although he was hearing impaired, he always looked forward to hearing her play as he could hear her very well (no surprise for those of us who remember her playing). Just imagine her tickling those ivories up there - and now Daddy can really hear her. One day I will join them and hear that heavenly music. I'm just sorry that more of us cannot have as great an influence as she.

Amanda Brooks

November 4, 2008

Mrs. Ellington was a gifted teacher. She taught us "English" (language arts today) as well as how we should conduct ourselves in life. It says something about a teacher when so many of her former students can recall the 8 Parts of Speech and 48 alphabetized prepositions 30+ years later! Respect and courtesy towards others were top priorities.

My fondest memory of Mrs Ellington is when she played the piano in the gym for a Christmas assembly. She was joyful.

God truly put her in a place where she touched so many lives.

Thank you Mrs. Ellington.
Amanda Mobley Brooks
Clarkston Class of 1978

joyce(jo) Wolfe(Crandall)

November 4, 2008

I wasn't in her class very long before I moved but I remember she gave me the apple from her lunch that day & I tried to preserve it because of her thoughtfulness. In 1995 she came to my mother-in-laws funeral who was the music teacher at Clarkston & I remember thinking what a wonderful , caring woman who had not seen this lady for many years but took the time to come & celebrate Dorothy's life.
Giving describes Betty Ellington in more than the teacher mode. Betty as you are looking down on what I have just written I wonder how many red marks would be on this note, feel free & thank you for your corrections in the past.

Susan Woodruff

November 4, 2008

Mrs. Ellington had an eternal impact on me as well as my three siblings. I now teach Language Arts at the middle school level and have told my students about the marvelous legacy she passed on to all of us who were fortunate enough to have been one of her students. She will be missed by untold thousands.
Susan Purswell Woodruff, class of '65

Judy Darcy

November 3, 2008

Mrs Ellington seemed like a timeles person. I hear people,talking about her class. We had the honor of her presence at one of our class reunions where she charmed us with her music. She was a truly caring person.

Kim Rikard

November 3, 2008

I have never forgotten Mrs.Ellington either. She is one of those teachers you always remember. I still remember things that she taught us (8 parts of speech and the 48 prepositions!) Can't say that about too many teachers that I have had. She is one of those teachers that I wish could have been at our highschool reunion. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. I know she will be greatly missed! I do! Kim Hargett Rikard (Class of 78)

Lisa Crawford

November 3, 2008

Mrs. Ellington taught me 8th grade English in 1973-74. She was fifty-seven though I guessed at the time that she was much older. I probably thought this because she had taught my four siblings before me and she just had that 'grandmotherly' way about her. I also recognized she used a rote style of teaching which was not "popular". Still, she probably was one of the most influential teachers in my life. And, perhaps I should give her a bigger category than just teachers, but people.

Once she called on me for having "Monday-itis". She realized that I had not been at school for several Mondays in a row. She embarrassed me in front of the whole class. I don't think I missed another Monday for the next five years.She made us repeat this we did something good or bad:
"If everyone were just like me, what kind of world would this be?" I wish every teacher taught this lesson.
Notice that neither one of these lessons are English lessons. They are life lessons. Now, on to the English!

I remember she once expressed that she was appalled when she called a student's home and the mother of the student answered the phone. When Mrs. Ellington asked for the mother by name, the mother replied, "This is her." Now, hopefully, if you learned her lessons you will recognize the problem. Correct. The proper reply should have been, "This is she."

Then there were her regular sayings:
"You can only write in blue, black or blue-black in my class. Remember Blue, Black or Blue-Black." At our thirty year class reunion in August, I overheard a former classmate saying....blue, black, or blue-black. I knew exactly what they were recalling.

She taught us the parts of a sentence, emphasizing the capitalized sections "IS A WORD"

A noun IS A WORD that names a person, place or thing.

A verb IS A WORD that shows action or state of being.

And do not forget the 48 prepositions. I can still name them in alphabetical order. The list started out: Aboard, about, above, across, after, against, along, amid, among, around, at, before, behind......

I hope she would not be too upset with my grammar in this note. Perhaps we need a few "Mrs. Ellingtons" to teach our younger generations! She showed some tough love for all her students. It was never about trying to make us like her. She only wanted us to learn. She truly accepted the responsibility of teaching. That is why she had such a lasting effect on so many of us. It is thirty-five years since she taught me English. I guess that rote teaching paid off. She was a great influence. Of the many teachers at Clarkston, Mrs. Ellington always makes top of the list when when we reminisce. She will be remembered by many and for a long time to come.

Judi Jackson

November 3, 2008

I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Ellington although I do know if anyone has reason to be with the Lord it would be this precious lady who never forgot a student by face or name. We will never forget "a noun is a word that names a person, place or thing....a pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun, etc. Thank you Ellington family for sharing her with us all.

Judi Ainslie Jackson - Class of '67

Keith Keller

November 3, 2008

I am very sad that she was my real friend, Betty Cleo Grant Ellington. I received "Ellington Extra Effort" award from Mrs. Ellington at Clarkston High School in 1978. I know she is in heaven.

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