Anna Lee Lois Walter Ellis

 
Anna Lee “Ann”, 92, devoted wife to Mack O’Dell Ellis for more than 70 years, and selfless mother to eleven children, entered into eternal rest at her Hilton Head Island home on Wednesday, August 14 surrounded by family. 
 
Ann was born on Christmas Eve, 1931 in Highland, Illinois to Fredericka Kapp Walter and Louis Walter. She was the youngest of three girls but always claimed she was her dad’s “boy”. He took her squirrel hunting, mushroom hunting, and had her work alongside him in their garden. While attending nursing school in St. Louis, Ann met Mack who was stationed at Scott AFB. After marrying on August 29, 1953, they lived in Washington, DC, Norfolk, VA, Cincinnati, and Athens, OH. After Mack retired from the FBI, they were avid world travelers before settling in Hilton Head.  
 
Ann was a loving and caring mother to eleven children: Daniel (Kathy) Ellis, Diane (Richard) Cryder, Linda (David) Coffin, Michael (Andrea) Ellis, Steven (Traci) Ellis, Craig (Teresa) Ellis, Thomas (Denise) Ellis, Paul (Lynne) Ellis, Mary (Gary) Pechar, Helen (David) Jauch, and John (Stacy) Ellis. She is also survived by 35 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. She took tremendous pride in being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as two sisters, Delores Naes, and Betty Ransom. 
 
Ann was a woman of strong faith and a very active member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Athens, Ohio and Holy Family Catholic Church on Hilton Head Island. She spent time in quiet devotion each day, loved going to Mass, and was the first woman to sing in her all-male church choir in Athens, Ohio. Throughout her life, she led by example in her commitment to the Catholic faith. She also impressed upon her children the beauty of God’s creation and the importance of preserving it. 
 
Ann was known as a master of crossword and jigsaw puzzles, a great dancer, avid bird watcher, amazing whistler, beachcomber, cookie lover, and card shark. She was happiest spending time with her family, listening to big band music, playing cards, and enjoying her beloved Happy Hour. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her devotion to God, love of family, and caring heart will continue to live on in her large family. 
 
A funeral Mass to honor Ann’s life will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Hilton Head Island, SC at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2024, with luncheon to follow. A memorial Mass will take place at St. Paul Catholic Church, Athens, OH at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 21, 2024, immediately followed by graveside service at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery and luncheon to follow at the Holy Family Center, 75 Stewart St., Athens, OH.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, 24 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 or St. Paul Catholic Church, 38 N. College St., Athens, OH 45701.