SHIRLEY ANN ELLIS

Shirley Ann (Hawkins) Ellis, 82, of New Strawn, Kansas, passed away on January 16, 2026, at Coffey County Hospital. She will be remembered especially for her steadfast love for her family, her quick wit, and her indomitable spirit.

Shirley was born on August 28, 1943, in Emporia, Kansas to Jesse and Velma (McCullough) Hawkins. She was the fourth of Jesse and Velma's five children, and as luck would have it, the only one born in a hospital. The family was living in Wichita (basically in their camper) while her Dad worked at Boeing. To escape the August heat, her mother went to stay with a sister in Emporia, and Shirley was born there at Newman Hospital.

Her favorite childhood memories were from her time spent on her grandparents' farm west of Burlington with her siblings and cousins.

In high school, she went with her friend to see relatives in Gridley, and met Rollie Lee Ellis Jr. They married in Burlington on March 27, 1960. Together, they built a beautiful family of six children: Robin Lee, Darla Kay, Tracy Lynn, Connie Jean, Jeri Ann, and Michael Reuben.

Just as she had grown up in a close-knit extended family, Shirley passed on that legacy to her own children, raising them to share a special bond and cherish quality time with family. They would gather for a Sunday afternoon of Chiefs football and food together like many families only do on Thanksgiving. She also shared with her kids and grandkids her love of music and dancing, and was known to host the best dance parties. Her knack for baking and sewing were unmatched, and she loved a good cup of coffee.

Shirley enjoyed many special friendships through her involvement in the Jaycee Jaynes and the local American Legion Auxiliary post throughout the years, and through her work as New Strawn City Clerk in the 1970s, and at Coffey County Medical Clinic, Silver Threads and Golden Needles fabric store, and American Legion Post 38, all in Burlington. In her later years, she enjoyed reading--especially anything by Fredrik Backman--and was the queen of crossword puzzles.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Rollie, who passed away on April 16, 1990, in Lawrence, Kansas; and by her two brothers, Leonard Hawkins and Kenneth Hawkins. She is survived by her six children: Robin Beyer (Frank "Rod") of New Strawn, Darla Jones (Brad) of Burlington, Tracy McCoy (Steve) of Foley Alabama, Connie Carlisle (Darrin) of Loxley, Alabama, Jeri Page (Kevin) of LeRoy, and Michael Ellis of New Strawn. A testament to her legacy, she is survived by 14 grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Justin Beyer, Rick McCoy, Brenna Beyer, Hallie McCoy (Jared Goehring), Whitney (Beyer) Raymundo (Diego), Tyler James Page, Mitchell Jones (Kasey), Colin Jones (Brophy Skarka), Paige Carlisle, Rhian Jones (Josh Rhodes), Christopher Carlisle (Chloe), Owen Jones, Keira Page, and Eli Ellis, as well as her 17 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Italia Galindo, Ava Beyer, Zoey McCoy, Minabella Galindo, Peyton Goehring, Mia Raymundo, Lila Beyer, Preslee Goehring, Karley Ainsworth, Kiley Ainsworth, Liam Page, Kade Ainsworth, Oaklyn Carlisle, Vivian Raymundo, Knox Carlisle, Cooper Rhodes, Violet Kay Jones, and Darin Jones. Shirley is also survived by her two dear sisters, Donna Hoch of Granbury, Texas, and Diana "Jo" Richardson (Bill) of White Salmon, Washington; by her beloved sister-in-law, Elizabeth Stafford of Chanute; and by so many other precious relatives and friends.

Private burial services will be held at a later date. Feltner Funeral Home of Lyndon is assisting the family.

Shirley's family is deeply grateful to her neighbors and friends, and to Dr. Sides and the Coffey Health nurses and staff, who all provided incredible care and support.