LENNA GAYE MARTIN ELLETT

1927 - 2021

Lenna Gaye Martin Ellett, who taught kindergarten for 30 years at Westmorland Elementary School, died peacefully at home July 27, 2021, 6 days after her 94th birthday. Gaye, the daughter of Lenna and John Martin, born July 21, 1927, in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, was raised in El Paso, TX. After high school graduation, she attended New Mexico A&M where she met her husband John R. Ellett who was returning to college following his WW2 service in the Naval Air Force. They married in 1947 in El Paso, Texas. The Elletts had two daughters born in Albuquerque, NM, Ruth and Nancy, son Marty was born in El Paso, TX and daughter Mary Kay in Wilcox, AZ. When the Elletts reached Imperial Valley, Gaye returned to college and completed her degree at San Diego State in education in 1965. Not retiring until 1990, teaching kindergarten children at Westmorland Elementary was a great joy in her life. The Elletts joined the First Baptist Church of Brawley (now Gateway Church) in 1962, where Gaye served as a deaconess. Through the years Gaye was a faithful member engaged with many aspects of church life, including organizing potlucks, singing in the choir, and teaching elementary Sunday School classes into her 80s. They were also lifelong members of the Gideons, grateful to be a part of an organization which reached out to the world with the Word of God. Her faith in Jesus Christ has long been the cornerstone of her life and we celebrate her passing from this life to the next, finally home with Jesus. At the time of her death, Gaye was the treasurer for the Christian Womens Club where she provided wise leadership and beautiful decorations for various occasions through the years. She was a fundraising member of the local Veterans Auxiliary. She was also a regular volunteer with the Real Hope Center, founded by Marty and Deby Ellett, in El Centro. One of Gayes great joys in life was treasure hunting on Wednesdays at Santo Thomas Swap Meet in Calexico, repurposing her finds and giving them a second life. She was an excellent seamstress who taught each of her daughters to sew, continuing her crafting and sewing into her 80s. Thanks to the support her children Marty and Mary Kay provided, Gaye was able to remain in her home throughout her lifetime. For the last nine years Rebecca Silva also loved and cared for her. Gaye Ellett was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Ellett and is survived by her four children: Ruth Ellett, son Shawn Speth and his children Claire, Leo, Benjamin and daughter Shannon Speth; Nancy Allison, husband Dale and daughters Carole and Laura, Marty Ellett, wife Deby and Mary Kay Klockmann, husband Gary and daughter Naomi and son Joshua and her brother Monte Martin of El Paso, TX. A memorial service will be held at 4:30pm, August 17, 2021, at Gateway Church, with visitation following. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Gideons International, Real Hope Center or the charity of your choice.