Paula Matthews "Polly" Ellis

ELLIS-Paula Matthews "Polly", age 61, cherished daughter of John H. and Nettie A. "Abbie" Matthews and beloved wife of Admiral James O. Ellis, Jr., USN (Ret.), died on Sunday, October 26th 2008. Born on April 22, 1947. Polly Ellis was a native of Marietta, GA. She received a degree in Sociology from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, further graduate education in the legal field at the University of San Diego led to employment with a number of agencies and law firms committed to family and social issues. After marrying her Marietta High School sweetheart, Polly and Jim began a partnership of service in the United States Navy. They lived at dozens of locations at home and abroad while raising a son and a daughter, the joys of her life. She was active in family support groups critical to the morale and well being of deployed naval units and families around the globe. While living in Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom, she enjoyed fostering host nation interaction and personal friendships. In every assignment, Polly sponsored outreach efforts and encouraged military spouse support to the arts, charities and the community. For her years of service, in 2004 Polly was awarded The Distinguished Public Service Award by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Polly was also the sponsor of the Naval Ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304), having launched that vessel on January 8th, 2000. During their recent career at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations in Atlanta, Polly made countless new friends and shared her smile, eager interest and personal warmth with many. Along with the travel she and Jim enjoyed in 38 years of married life, Polly's personal interests included reading, gardening, cooking (especially Italian), stitchery, music and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, hiking (including climbing two volcanoes) and shopping for anything related to their four wonderful grandchildren. In addition to her mother and her husband, Polly is survived by her brother John M. Matthews and his wife Linda, her son Patrick and his wife Brenda, her daughter Lauren Ellis Brandy and her husband Paul, and four grandchildren: Deirdre and Oren Ellis and Maya and Piper Brandy.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 from 6 to 8 PM at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church St., Marietta, GA, 770-428-1511. Following a Mass of Christian Burial, Polly will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, when arrangements are completed.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, contributions may be made to The Arbor Day Foundation, www.arborday.org, or the Heifer Project International, www.heifer.org.