Doris Ellis

1921 - 2017

Doris Naron Ellis, 95, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was born in Houston, MS on May 16, 1921 to Ada Lee Streeter and Curtis Lyvaughn Naron. She was a member of Saltillo United Methodist Church and a former member of Okolona First United Methodist Church for many years. She was a lay speaker, a member of United Methodist Women's Club, a choir member and Sunday school teacher. She listed in Who's Who in MS in 1974 and owned and operated Doris' Dress Shop for eight years. She was chairman of the Merchants Committee of Okolona, a member of Leadership Chickasaw in 1990, former Cub Scout den mother, in the Twenty Century Club, and Demonstration Home Markers Club. She was the first woman in the history of Okolona to serve as President for the Chamber of Commerce. She was an entertainer for school reunions, churches, and nursing homes. She loved playing the part of Minnie Pearl. She loved writing poetry and stories for her family and close friends. She even compiled a book Love and Laughter.

She came to Okolona in 1942 and was employed at Bearden's Drug Store until she married Durward Ellis in 1944. She retired as a dental assistant in 1986 for Dr. L.H. Clark. Doris loved her family and friends and she loved Okolona. As one has said "She could cry with you, laugh with you and Pray with you".

A service of Death and Resurrection will be at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Okolona with Rev. Frank Davis and Rev. Tim Green officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. today (Saturday) at Holland Funeral Directors, Okolona Chapel and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the church. Private burial will follow at Boones Chapel Cemetery.

She is survived by her son, Terry Ellis and wife, Jackie of Saltillo; Daughter-in-law, Judy Crans Ellis of Saltillo; five grandchildren, Jason Ellis (Kami), Claire Harrelson (Jason Marc) of Saltillo, Katie Simmons (Chad) of Bristow, VA, Kim Huddleston (Rob) of Pontotoc, and Bryan Ellis (Natalie) of Saltillo; fourteen great-grandchildren, Ashton, McKenna and Madison Ellis, Ethen, Gabriel, Mary Ellis and Evelyn Harrelson, Ella Kate, Raelynn, Lincoln, and Kane Simmons, Aubrey Huddleston and Gia and Chris Ellis; one sister, Martha Smith and husband Lloyd of Oxford; Sister-in-law, Joyce Naron of Houston; a brother-in-law, Tommy Lane of Grenada and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Durward Ellis, one son, Jamie Ray Ellis; her parents, Ada Lee and Curtis Naron, four sisters, Gertrude Hill, Merle Lane, Lyvaughn Naron, Lorenda Naron, two brothers Bobby Naron and C.L. Naron.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Ellis, Frankie Ellis, Jimmy Wayne Ellis, Coy Hill, Doug Naron, and Charles Naron.

Memorials can be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177 Tupelo, MS 38802, Boones Chapel Cemetery Fund, C/O Bank of Okolona, P.O. Bxo 306, Okolona, MS 38860, or to First United Methodist Church, 737 Old Hwy 45, Saltillo, MS 38866. Condolences to the family may be e-mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.