Marjorie Ellis

Marjorie Gilstrap Ellis, 86, formerly of Victoria, Texas, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2015 in Kerrville while in the Hill Top Care Facility under the excellent supervision of Jessica Nemky with Peterson Hospice. Her death came a short 8 ½ months after her husband Howard E. Ellis ("Tex") passed away August 1, 2014. They were married January 26, 1951 in Austin, Texas and had celebrated 63 years together. Her four children and younger brother were all able to say good-bye before she passed. \r\n \r\n"Grammargie", the name she chose for all of her grandsons to call her, was born in Taylor, TX and grew up in nearby Granger. After high school, she attended and graduated from the University of Texas with a physical education degree in 1950. While at The University, Margie was president of Mortar Board and a member of the Cap and Gown Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Student Assembly, Pi Lambda Theta, and the Sidney Lanier Literary Society. A member of Alpha Chi Omega, Margie served as Panhellenic representative. She was a Bluebonnet Belle nominee, an Outstanding Student, and a member of the Texas Stars and Orange Jackets. Even with her very active schedule, she still had time for a date with Fess Parker, later of Hollywood movie and TV fame, best remembered for his role as Daniel Boone. Many years later, Margie earned her Master Degree in Education from Southwest Texas State in San Marcos while commuting from Victoria.\r\n \r\nMargie worked a few summers in the office at Camp Mystic after her aunt and uncle, Inez & Frank Harrison, became directors in 1947. After college, Margie worked for Texas Congressman Homer Thornberry, both in Texas and at his office in Washington D.C. Following her marriage to Tex, she worked for Texas Health Dept. in Austin. Ten days after her fourth child was born, the entire family moved to Victoria, Texas where Margie taught at the elementary level for 27 years at Victoria ISD. \r\n \r\nMargie loved doing things with her family whether it was a day trip to the coast for a crabbing outing, collecting sea shells while the children played, or trips around central or south Texas. Because Scouting was an integral part of the whole family, Margie volunteered as a den mother. Margie loved sewing, quilting, and her crossword puzzles. She enjoyed playing the hand bells at First Presbyterian in Victoria and at the Methodist church in Kerrville. \r\n \r\nAfter Margie and Tex retired, they went out each spring to pick berries and wild green grapes. Of course, the family loved it when they were in town for one of her famous green grape cobblers! The children were horrified to hear her frankly state, "Yes, we would set the bucket down, picked with one hand and held a stick in the other to shoo off the occasional snake hiding in the shade of the berry plant." She was a very loving mother, even in her last days, asking David & Donna if they were OK and getting enough rest for themselves.\r\n \r\nMargie was preceded in death by her parents, Harry M. Gilstrap and Louisa Ford Gilstrap and her husband, Tex Ellis. She also leaves behind her daughter, Debra E. Heath and husband, D. Mayo Heath of Lewisville, Texas; her son, Stephen H. Ellis and wife, Jennifer, and their sons, Robert & Matthew of Clear Lake, Texas; her son, David H. Ellis and wife, Donna, and their son, Derek of Kerrville, Texas; and her son, Henry C. "Hank" Ellis and sons, Caleb and Micah of North Richland Hills, Texas. Other relatives include brother, Ralph M. Gilstrap and wife, Carolyn, and their children, Christopher and Mollie of Draper, Utah; her niece, Dana Ellis Smith; and nephews, Christopher H. Ellis and Jeffery B. Ellis and their children. \r\n \r\nA graveside interment will be at 11 AM, Saturday, April 25, 2015 in Taylor, Texas. \r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]