Frances Ellis
Age - 78
December 6, 2023
Frances Vandora Bell Ellis
December 11, 1944 - December 3, 2023
On Sunday, December 3, 2023, just a few days shy of her seventy-ninth birthday, Frances Vandora Ellis, entered her eternal home surrounded by her family. As her family held her hand until her last breath, the Lord took a hold of her hand and led her home in glory where there is no more sorrow or sickness. Frances embodied the compassionate, kindness humbleness, and gentleness of a servant's heart like Jesus. She was clothed with strength and dignity, she spoke with wisdom, she set about her work vigorously, and she opened her heart and hands to all those around her. She spent her days diligently seeking the Lord and trying to please Him. She was a devoted wife to Gene Ellis for 59 years but started their love story the summer between the eighth and ninth grade, through the wonderful, beautiful, and tough times, the Lord's mercy and grace was upon them both as they both strove to serve the Lord together. Frances was a tender-hearted mother to Kenny and Kelly Ellis, and a tremendously wonderful grandmother to her granddaughters, Bailey and Makenna Ellis. She was a steadfast sister to her six siblings. She was a loyal and faithful friend to all. She was a devout member to her church, Berrydale Baptist Church. Frances has faced a long battle with her earthly body the past four years, but she is now whole and healed, walking and talking alongside and praising her Savior for eternity. She endured her race and is finally home. The first words she heard were "Well done, good and faithful one. " As much as our hearts are burdened at her absence on this earth, she would tell us, "Don't be sad, I am home where I have longed to be, where I have lived my entire life to be. I have finished my race, and my prize is glory. Don't be sad for me but rejoice and praise God that when we place our life in the Lord's hands, we have a promise and a hope of everlasting life with the Lord". She would long to know if you have made the decision for a personal relationship with Jesus, with the One that freed, saved, loved, and tenderly cared for her for seventy-eight wonderful and blessed years. She was bought with the precious blood of Jesus, that washed her sins away white as snow. Have you?
Frances Ellis was born in Flomaton, Alabama on December 11, 1944, to Minnie Ola (Cowart) and Daniel Cecil Bell, Sr. She was a graduate of Jay High School, class of 1964. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend. She devoted and took pride in working and serving at Berrydale Baptist Church, whether that was in the kitchen, leading Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School, or visiting with her fellow church members. She was known to take pride in all she did, whether it was cleaning, organizing, or maintaining her home, she did it right and took pride in doing it the right way. She was the rock to her family, always willing to help and show compassion to anyone that needed it. If you knew her, you loved her. She was a special woman; there is no one quite like her. She truly was a blessing from the Lord, and we are so thankful He shared her with us for so long. She encouraged, loved, supported, and prayed for so many people. She impacted every person she met, with her infectious smile, courageous laugh and lending hands. If you needed her, she would the there. She was known because of how hard she worked at whatever she was doing, because when she did anything, you could definitely count on it to be done right. She loved spending time with her family, whether it was camping, vacations, going to eat, drinking milkshakes, watching Gunsmoke with Gene, going to the movie theater, or spending time with her son Kenny, daughter Kelly, and granddaughters, Bailey and Makenna.
Frances Vandora Ellis is preceded in death by her father, Daniel Cecil Bell, Sr. ; mother, Minnie Ola Wasden; stepfather, Randolph Wasden; sister, Ann Cannon; brothers, Daniel Bell, Jr. and Terry Wasden; brothers-in-law, William Ellis, Rodney Ellis, Elbert Brown and Steve Bray.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, Gene Edward Ellis; children Kenneth Edward Ellis and Kelly Leigh Ellis; grandchildren, Bailey Victoria Ellis and Makenna Grace Ellis; sisters, Cecilia Bray and Brenda Brown; brother, Johnny Wasden; sisters-in-law, Brenda Bedsole (Kenny), Theresa Ellis, and Janet Ellis; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.
Pallbearers are nephews: Derek Bray, Dean Brown, Brian Ellis, Doyle Ellis, Kevin Ellis and Patrick Ellis.
Honorary pallbearers: Kenny Bedsole, Alan Moffitt, Marcus Moffitt, Isaac Moffitt, Glen Brown, Leslie Nelson and John David Reeder.
The family would like to thank Vitas Hospice Healthcare, especially Sharmaine, Allison, Abby, and Lori, as they took such wonderful care of her. They supported and loved the family through this time. They are a blessing from the Lord, and the family prays the Lord will bless each and every person at Vitas. We will never be able to repay you for all y'all did for her.Show more
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