Mary’s Obituary On Saturday, April the 6th, 2019 the Lord called home his loyal and faithful servant, Mary Lee Ellis. Born December 25th, 1933, Mary Lee came into this world with her purpose in place. Rightfully born on the day of our Savior, she served as His example on Earth, blessing all she knew with her charity , love and kindness.
The third youngest of seven children, Mary Lee enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, shopping, but most importantly, spending time with her family and her community. A graduate of Atkins High School, Mary Lee went on to continue her education at Winston Salem Teachers College (WSSU) and then received her Masters in Education from North Carolina A & T State University. Her tenure in education spanned over 45 years where she not only served as an educator and mentor, but curriculum coordinator and designer.
Her primary reading programs were implemented state wide and were praised for their effectiveness in encouraging literacy and phonics education. Her educational outreach extended well beyond the classroom as her work with her sorority , Phi Delta Kappa, led her across the East Coast allowing her to mentor young men and women in topics of etiquette, public speaking, fellowship and community service through the Kudos and Xinos youth organizations for over 15 years. Mary Lee was a proud lifetime member of Mount Sinai AME Zion Church where she served for many years as an ordained Deaconess, Chairman of the Trustee Board, Trustee Board member, Chairman of the Budget and Finance committee, Usher Board member, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society member, Sunday School member and supporter of the Advance Fire, Rescue and community charities.
If there was ever anything that needed to be done, Mary was always willing to donate in service, deed and kind whatever was asked. Nothing brought Mary Lee or “Tootsie”, as she was lovingly called, more joy than her family. Whether it was cross country family vacations, basketball games, football games, plays or recitals , Mary enjoyed living her life with those she cared for to the fullest.
Although she loved her large family, she found the most pleasure spending time with her youngest nephews – her “boys” – JJ, Evan, Ian and CJ. Along with her two sisters, Eula Mae and Willie Joyce, the Golden Girls were well known in the Winston Salem and Greensboro communities for coming out to support all positive events that impacted our youth. Mary Lee is preceded in death by her father Wiley Ellis, mother Fannie Ellis, brothers, Robert, Richard, Wilbert and Melvin Ellis.
She is survived in loving memory by her sisters, Eula Mae (James) Goodwin of Winston Salem, Willie Joyce (Roy) Martin of Winston Salem, nieces Charita (Tony) Martin Ward of Winston Salem. Deidre (Michael) Martin Coleman of Oak Ridge, NC and Debra (Earl) Davis of Durham, NC, great nieces Candace Martin, Nicole Davis and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted 2 pm Friday April 12, 2019 at Mt.
Sinai AME Zion Church, Advance NC with interment following in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:15 pm-2 pm Friday.
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