Velma Lorene “Mama” Ellison, 88, of Mobile, Ala., died May 7, 2012, in Mason Health and Rehab, Warsaw.
She was born Feb. 24, 1924, in Clanton, Ala., to Christopher D. and Dochie Evelyn Connell Johnson. On Dec. 24, 1941, she married Wallace R. “Bill” Ellison, who died March 31, 1991.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, Prichard, Ala., which later became College Park Baptist Church, Saraland, Ala. She has worshiped at Mason’s Health and Rehab Chapel for the past 3-1/2 years. She was a stay-at-home mother who loved her family. She loved fashion, make-up and looking classy. She loved shopping and taking walks. She sang in the church choir for 40 years, and taught Sunday school. She was a southern-style cook, enjoyed her flower garden and her family of pets.
Surviving are a son, Wallace R. “Richard” (and spouse Jane) Ellison, Santa Barbara, Calif.; a daughter, Judy Ellison (and her spouse the Rev. Dennis) Bollenbacher, Pierceton; two grandchildren, Jon C. (and spouse Dana) Bozeman, Robertsdale, Ala., and Marena L. (and spouse Gary) Atkins; and five great-grandchildren: Olivia C., Lauren M. and Caisson R. Bozeman all of Robertsdale, and Maya J. and Molly J. Atkins, both of Leesburg. She was preceded in death by her father, Christopher C. Johnson; her mother, Dochie Evelyn Connell Johnson; and two sisters, Alene Jones and Maybell Johnson.
A memorial celebration will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Beginnings Church, 208 E. Main St., Atwood, with Pastor Denny Bollenbacher and lay-leader Jerry Byrd officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Mobile (Ala.) Memorial Gardens.
Calling is from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangement. ***** Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. FI, 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
