Mildred Farmer Ellis, 89, of Woodbine took her flight to be with the Lord on Dec. 6, 2021, at Hospice of the Golden Isles, Brunswick.
Mildred Farmer Ellis was born Dec. 31, 1931, to the late Etta Mae Johnson and Roscoe Farmer. She grew up in Kingsland, and spent her childhood time between Kingsland and Woodbine. The late Samuel Whitaker and Sarah Glover Whitaker of Woodbine raised Mildred as their own daughter in a loving and Christian home. She joined Madison Chapel A.M.E. Church at an early age and continued to serve Christ faithfully as a member of Browns Chapel A.M.E. Church.
In 1947, Mildred united in marriage with Howard Ellis and to this union, eight children were born. Her husband Howard and two of her children, Gregory and Darryl, preceded her in death. Those children surviving to celebrate her life are Kenneth Ellis (Joyce), Baker, Louisiana; Alfred Leon Ellis, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Howard Ellis Jr. (Loucklin), Lincolnton, Bernard Ellis (Juanita), Lumberton, New Jersey; Brenda Ellis-Forbes (Patrick), Bronx, New York; and Keith Ellis, St. Marys. Also surviving are her loving sister, Myrtle Rauls and a host of cousins, niece and nephews.
Other family members that preceded Mildred in passing include her grandmother, Carrie Bell Way Johnson; aunt, Roberta Johnson Campbell; brother, Alexander King; sister, Carrie Bell Richardson; and nephew, Ronald McDougal.
Mildred was affectionately called “Mother” by the friends of her children and many of the people she befriended along her journey. Although she ended her formal education at a young age, once she married and started a family, Mother worked tirelessly to provide a stable home for her family. She emphasized the importance of education and treating others kindly. After raising a family, she went back to school and completed her high school equivalency certification at the age of 56. Although Mother once spoke of all the things that she never had, she did have some unique life experiences. Mother has attended a Super Bowl, ridden on a double decker bus in London and sat under the Eiffel Tower.
Mother was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Women’s Auxiliary. She worked various jobs throughout her adult life and retired from the Camden County Schools Transportation Department.
She spent her retired years visiting family, enjoying time in fellowship with her church family, and giving special attention to her grandchildren (16), great grandchildren (18) and her great-great grandchildren (5).
Mother also had a group of family and friends that showed her love and support particularly as her health declined: Cynthia Ellison and family, Ada Hamilton, Cocina Hamilton, Tavarias and Maxine Garrett, Gerald Copps, Jas Dawkins, Ella McDonald, Julia Massey, Marvin and Deborah Walker, Carl and Rena Mae Hutchinson and Rev. Hamilton and the Brown’s Chapel Church family.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at Woodbine Cemetery, Georgia Highway 110, Woodbine. There will be no wake. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Social distancing and masks are recommended.
Sunset Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements.