Stella Frances Ellis

Stella Frances Ellis, 89, of Gardner, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Hillside Village Nursing Home in DeSoto, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at Emerson Memorial Chapel in Jonesboro, Arkansas with Rev. Archie Mason officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Stella was born December 5, 1916 to William Dickerson Byrd and Josie Ann Hawkins Byrd in Cumi, Ark. She moved to the Kansas City, Missouri area in 1953 where she married Robert O. Ellis on February 16, 1956. She was a cook and waitress at the Gardner Cafe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughters, Sylvia Moore and JOy Ellen Stone; brother, Orville, Truman and Grover; and sister, Buelah Queen.

Survivors include her husband, Robert O. Ellis of the home; daughter mary Lucille and husband Ronnie Chambers of Jonesboro; sister Verlene Whitsel of Craig, Missouri; 4 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wednesday from noon until service time at 1:00 at Emerson Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro.

Lasting memorials may be made to the Gardner Friends Church, the American Legion or to the charity of the donor's choice.