Patricia Mansfield Ellis died Wednesday, October 10th with her beloved family beside her. She had privately and gracefully faced many autoimmune disorders since 2001, challenges that she handled with faith and fortitude. Patricia was born and educated through high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
She and her late husband, William Alexander Ellis (Bill – as he was known to all who knew him), were married in 1955 and continued to live in Chattanooga until he completed his undergraduate degree at University of Tennessee – Chattanooga. In 1961, they and their children moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. In 1967, Patricia and her family returned to Tennessee for Bill to pursue his master’s degree.
At that time, she became a freshman at UT too. By now, there were four children in the family. When the family returned to Florida, Patricia earned her Associate Degree from Okaloosa Walton Community College and then graduated from University of West Florida in 1974 with a Bachelor’s Degree in education.
Later, she continued in graduate school to be certified to teach reading in grades 1 through 12. Reading and writing made her world go round. She was an inactive Friend for Life of Niceville Public Library and was a loyal student at UWF’s Lifetime Learning Center, appreciating the instructors and fellow mature students.
She thrilled to see spring, sunshine, and that particular blue of the sky. Patricia was never too busy to watch the birds or squirrels in her yard and liked to see the ducks and turtles in the near by lake. She considered her international travels a blessing and an education.
She said that smiles and music bound all of us. Most of all, Bill lovingly supported and encouraged her in all her challenges and endeavors. She dearly loved Bill and her family.
Just as she tried to live her life with courage and peace, she encouraged her family and friends as they bravely faced their life challenges. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; Helen and Richard Mansfield, her beloved husband, William A. Ellis, her daughter’s husband, Charles L. Belloli and her son, James A. Ellis. She is survived by Pamela E. Belloli, her sons Ethan and Elliot Belloli, and her partner, David J. Shimek.
She is survived by William Nathan Ellis and his wife Eugenia and their daughter Natalie Renee and Nathan’s older daughter by his first marriage, McKay. And by her son, Jeffrey C Ellis and his wife Heidi plus Bridgette Murray Ellis, her daughter in law plus many friends whom she appreciated over the years. In Tennessee, she is survived by her brother Richard M. Mansfield and his wife Kathy and their families.
And in Arizona, her faithful cousins, Tom and Opal Larkin. Patricia was positive in her belief of the Divine and believed in his existence in every human being. She fearlessly embraced the joy and the welcome she would know in the Great Immense, although she could not possibly understand from her earthly being what the Immense is except peace and love.
By her request she will be cremated. A Memorial Service will be later in the year. Memorial Contributions can be made to UNICEF – US Fund of UNICEF, PO Box 27737- Dept C. Newark, NJ 07101-7737 or Friends of the Niceville Library, 206 N. Partin Drive, Niceville FL 32578 Attention: Lee Luton.
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