Obituary

Mattie Lou Ellis, 89, of Plainview, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, in Hale Center. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Plainview Memorial Park with Mr. J.W. Hamby officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Plainview. Mattie was born Oct. 31, 1922, to G.D. and Mary Belle Applewhite in Hale Center, Texas. She grew up in Hale Center where she graduated Hale Center High School in 1939. She married J.D. Ellis on Dec. 20, 1942, in Hale Center. She attended Wayland and West Texas Teachers College. She later received her master's degree in education from Texas Tech University in 1970. She taught elementary education for 32 years, 27 of those at College Hill. She retired in 1986. She was a lifetime member of the PTA and Garland Street Church of Christ. Mattie loved her family, friends, church, playing bridge and her dog, Fritz. She is survived by her children, Rodney Ellis and his wife, Jude, of Adelaide, Australia; Pam Hull and her husband, Gary, of Hale Center and Danny Ellis and his wife, Lisa, of Little Rock, Ark.; one sister, Emma Holland of Lubbock; seven grandchildren, Levi Ellis, Megan Payne, Tristan Hughes, Kylie Van Pelt, Garth Hughes, Daniel Ellis and James Dustin Ellis; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Ellis; and her parents, G.D. and Mary Belle Applewhite. The family suggests memorials be made to Children's Home of Lubbock, P.O. Box 2824, Lubbock, TX 79408. Online condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com.