Lela Belle Ellis

Lela Belle Ellis, daughter of the late E.S. and Lennie B. (Burch) Baty, was born on July 18, 1921 in Texas County, Missouri, and departed this life on March 19, 2010 at her home in Graff, Missouri. She was 88 years, 8 months and 1 day of age.

Lela was raised in the Bendavis area and attended Logan and Alice County Schools and Houston School. Her father was a circuit riding preacher. She accepted the Lord as her Savior at a young age and joined the Hickory Ridge Church. She was united in marriage to David Benson Ellis on October 12, 1940. Three children were born to this union. Lela worked side by side with her husband on their farm. Mr. Ellis passed away on October 11, 1980. Lela also worked for the H.D. Lee Company in Houston and following retirement she helped her son with dairy chores such as feeding calves.

Lela loved to sew. She made many quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed watching birds of all kinds but especially liked hummingbirds. She enjoyed going to church and was a long-time member of Friendship Baptist Church at the time of her passing. She loved visiting with her family and friends and especially looked forward to seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter: Bennie Kay Klingensmith in 1969; a grandson: Michael Wayne Klingensmith; two great-great-grandchildren: Andrew and Camelle Dennis; and a sister: Esther Murr.


Lela is survived by her son: David Timothy Ellis and wife Cheryl of Graff, Missouri; her daughter: Donna Black and husband Jim of Hartville, Missouri; six grandchildren: Terry Olson, Dustin Ellis, Jared Ellis, Tilli Daylong, Jamie Black, and Shaun Black; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; a host of other relatives and friends.