Loretta Walker Ellis

SUFFOLK - Loretta Walker Ellis, 83, died January 7, 2018. A native of Marion, NC, she came to Newport News in 1954 as the wife of Jim Ellis, also a native of Marion. They began their life together with Jim working in the shipyard and Loretta working as a teacher. Loretta was a lifelong educator. After obtaining an associates degree at Mars Hill College in North Carolina, she began teaching in the public schools in the city of Hampton. After a few years, she decided to stay at home and begin raising a family, sons Mike and Nick. Shortly thereafter, she returned to education and was a third-grade teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Newport News for over 30 years. During this time, she returned to her own education and completed her degree at Old Dominion University. We hope that those more than 500 students of hers got a solid foundation with reading, writing and arithmetic because of Loretta's dedication as an educator. Loretta was also dedicated to her church life. She, her late husband Jim, and the two boys spent many Sunday mornings and nights at Calvary Baptist Church in Newport News. There, Loretta was a Sunday school teacher for years, sang in the choir and was an occasional back up pianist. She was a long time member of the church choir trio and thoroughly enjoyed making musical contributions to the church. After moving to the other side of the James River, she and Jim were members of first Baptist Church in Suffolk, and in the last years of her life, were dedicated members at Alexander Baptist Church in Chesapeake. Loretta and Jim resided in the Sleepy Lake community for almost 30 years and made the strongest of friendships with many of their neighbors. Their help to Loretta since Jim passed, along with help from many of Loretta's former teaching colleagues, was greatly appreciated by both Mike and Nick. Loretta will be greatly missed by her two sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. For those that were not taught by her in school, did not get to hear her sing in church, or did not get to taste what Mike feels is the best pound cake in the state, or what Nick feels is the best banana pudding in the state, well, that was your loss. The family appreciates the attention provided to Loretta during hospice from Personal Touch representatives, Stacy, Sandie and Dawn. More importantly, Mike and Nick greatly appreciate all of the help and support from Loretta's friends Peggy Johnson and Nancy Ambersly. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 11:30 AM in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Suffolk, by Dr. Gene Primm. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contribution to your favorite charity or the Susan Koman Breast Cancer Fund. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com