Rosalie Ellis Dorrill

1918 - 2018

Rosalie Ellis Dorrill

Carthage - Rosalie Ellis Dorrill, a lifelong resident of Leake County, died peacefully at her home in Carthage, Mississippi, on January 29, 2018.

She was born on May 8, 1918, in the Freeny Community. Rosalie graduated from Freeny High School in 1935, and then continued her education at East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi. She graduated from ECCC in 1937. She then completed her education at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1940.

After returning to Carthage, she began a 15-year teaching career. She taught at Ellis, Edinburg, Freeny, and Carthage schools in Leake County. Rosalie then served as Personnel Manager at the Carthage Corporation, a garment factory in Carthage that employed up to 400 employees. She took a personal interest in the lives of each person she hired. Rosalie had a unique ability to see the good and the untapped potential in everyone, even when they could not see it in themselves. She is fondly remembered by countless former employees. She retired in 1979 after 27 years of dedicated service.

Rosalie was one of the founding members of Carthage Presbyterian Church. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies' Auxiliary, where she held several offices and served in leadership roles. She was an active member of the Leake County Homemaker's Club and the 50-Plus Club.

After her retirement, she spent time visiting friends and relatives who were in nursing homes or who were homebound. She kept a suitcase packed and enjoyed traveling with friends and family when the opportunity presented. Some of her favorite memories were made at their Ratliff Ferry home on Barnett Reservoir. She also valued every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their lives brought her immense pleasure.

In her last years of life, Rosalie enjoyed continuing to live in her own home, where she received exceptional care and attention from four special ladies. The tireless care of Mrs. Stella Truss, Mrs. Martha Purvis, Mrs. Rosie Mitchell, and Mrs. Mary Young made every day easier. Rosalie's family has the deepest appreciation and love for each of these treasured friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Ealie Ellis and Annie Richmond Ellis; her husband, Talmage Dorrill; and her siblings, Willis Ellis, Mable Ellis Watkins, Herman Ellis, Lucille Ellis and Kermit Ellis.

She is survived by her son, George Dorrill, and his wife, Sue of Kosciusko, MS; by her granddaughter, Renee` Dorrill Huffman, and her husband, Tracy, of Hernando, MS; by her grandson, John Dorrill, and his wife, Mari Elliot Dorrill, of Memphis, TN; and by her great-grandchildren, Julia Kate Huffman, Witt Ellis Huffman, John Edward Dorrill, II (Jed) and Mary Carnes Dorrill.

Funeral Services will be held at Carthage Presbyterian Church in Carthage, MS, on February 2, 2018, at 2:00 o'clock PM. Visitation will be prior to the service from 12:00 o'clock Noon to 2:00 o'clock PM in the Church Fellowship Hall. Interment will follow at Harris Cemetery in Carthage.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Carthage Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.