Annie Marie Ellis

Annie Marie Evans Ellis, 88, of Thornton, passed away March 14, 2011 in Fordyce, AR. She was born August 18, 1922 to the late John and Annie Evans of Thornton, AR. She was married 35 years to Thomas Carlton Ellis, who preceded her in death. She resided in North Little Rock, Ark. for 60 years before returning home to Calhoun County in 2007 to be near her many relatives and friends. Mrs. Ellis was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark. and of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church near Thornton, Ark. She worked at Tuf-Nut and Teletype in Little Rock and later for the State of Arkansas Employment Security Division. Mrs. Ellis is survived by daughters Nancy (Thomas) Piercy of Zionsville, Ind. and Blinda Ashburn of Malvern, Ark. She also leaves behind three grandchildren, Leanne Piercy Greer of Canton, Ga., Melinda Ashburn of Sherwood, Ark., and Burt Thomas Ashburn, of Malvern, Ark., and three great-grandchildren, Charles Dougan, Annabelle Greer, and Thomas Greer. She is survived by two sisters, Vaughnda LaBeff of Thornton and Helen O'Dell of Camden, and a brother, Charles Evans of Benton, La. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Burgett and Bertha Stone. Visitation will be held at the Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Ark. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Funeral services are planned at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 17 at the Providence Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. W.K. Roach and Rev. Bob Slagley officiating. Burial will follow at the Calaway Cemetery. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.