Elsie Pearl Ellis

Elsie Pearl (Dickerson) Ellis, of Bonham, TX died Sunday, August 26, 2018 at the TMC hospital in Bonham.  Family visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Wednesday morning, Aug. 29, 2018 at Wise Funeral Home in Bonham, TX.  She will also lie in state until 8:00 PM Tuesday night.  Graveside services will be at 11:30 AM Wednesday, Aug. 29 in Arledge Ridge Cemetery officiated by her son-in-law, Buddy Eblen.

Elsie was born September 10, 1928 in Quitman, Texas, to Richard Huten and Pearl Laverne (Arnold) Dickerson.  While working in McIvers dime store on the Bonham square, Elsie met her husband, W. Gene Ellis after he returned from service in WWII.  They were married on November 10, 1946 in the home of Rev. Brown, minister of Clark Memorial Methodist Church.

Elsie was a homemaker, but also worked in the Leonard Nursing Home, Ben Franklin, and Bonham Dry Cleaners.  However, she will be best remembered for her sewing expertise.  She opened a custom sewing shop in her home on S. Highway 78, Bonham, where she developed a loyal clientele.  Later, she moved the business into Bonham and opened Elsie's Alterations near the square in Bonham, where she was known for being able to do just about any tailoring job there was.  Elsie loved growing irises and had between 300 and 400 different varieties.  Many people stopped to admire her garden.

Elsie became a Christian as a young adult, and her faith was important to her.  She taught Sunday School for every age group over the years and was an active member in her local church as long as her health allowed.  Most recently, she was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Bonham.  Even as Alzheimer's took its toll, she continued to say that she was "ready to go whenever God takes me."

She was preceded in death by her father and mother; all of her brothers, Oman, Willard, Carl, Rudolph, Richard and Billy; one sister, Ruby; son-in-law, Dick Rush and grandsons, Richard Alan Rush II and Richard Alan Rush III.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years 9 months, Wilmer Gene Ellis of Bonham; her children, Steve Ellis and wife, Kathy of Allen, TX, Darlene Rush of Grand Prairie, TX, Rick Ellis and wife, Carol of Bonham, TX and Kathy Eblen and husband, Buddy of Leavenworth, KS; grandchildren, Chris Wallace, wife Michelle, of Colleyville, Michelle Hilliard of Wylie, TX, Shane Ellis, wife, Kami of Plano, TX, Corbin Ellis of Allen, TX, Jeff Rush of Farmers Branch, TX, Lesli Ellis of Weatherford, OK, Meghann Rogers, husband, Victor of Sublette, KS, Ashton Kirks, husband Brad of Tacoma, WA, Zachary Eblen, wife Regan of Holt, MO, and Jacob Eblen, wife Emma of Tacoma, WA; great grandchildren, Megan Pecararo, Miranda Wallace, Tabitha Hedgers, Gabi Hilliard, Tristan Wallace, Cole Hilliard, Ti Adams, Ryleigh Ellis,  Ian Wallace, Logan Ellis, Aiden Wallace, Caleb Ellis, Graham Ellis, Belle Wallace, Presley Ellis, Henry Eblen, Corbin Rogers, Raphael Eblen, and Oliver Eblen; great great grandchildren, Bowen Hedgers and Tatum Hedgers; and sister, Gladys Stone of Denison, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be, Chris Wallace, Shane Ellis, Corbin Ellis, Zachary Eblen, Tristan Wallace, Mark Hilliard, and Cole Hilliard.

Memorials may be made to the Samaritan's Purse, www.samaritanspurse.org