Lois Pearl Ellis

Lois Pearl Ellis, of Abilene, died Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the age of 84. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. There will be a private entombment for the family. March 7, 1923, Lois was born in Rusk, Texas to Earl Bell Sword and Katie B. (Langston) Sword. She graduated from John Tyler High School in 1940. Lois married Leslie Stewart Ellis December 23, 1944 in Tyler, Texas. She has been a member of First Baptist Church in Abilene since 1956, where she taught pre-school children for 21 years, sang in the church choir for 44 years, served Wednesday night prayer meals for 45 years, and was a member of Adult I Sarah Sunday School Class. Lois was a member of the China Painting Club and several bridge clubs. She volunteered at Abilene Regional Medical Center for 17 years and RSVP for 17 years. Lois was the Conductress of the Hawkins Eastern Star Lodge. She worked for the Abilene Independent School District as an Administrative Secretary and Attendance Secretary for Lee Elementary, Locust Elementary, Franklin Middle School and Jefferson Middle School before retiring after 28 years. Lois is survived by her husband, Leslie Ellis, of Abilene; one daughter, Pamela Kay Deffenbaugh, and her husband George, of Abilene; one son, Larry Earl Ellis, of Whitehouse, Texas; two brothers, Troyce Sword and his wife Katherine, of Tyler, and Winnon Earl Sword and his wife Beverly, of Flint; four grandchildren, Melissa Kay Ellis, Bridgett Ann Lack and her husband Eddie, Marc Stephen Deffenbaugh and his wife Emily, and Stephen Earl Ellis and his wife Nikki; five great-grandchildren, Hannah Marie Ellis Deffenbaugh, Madyson Kay Deffenbaugh, Jordan Ellis, Toni Lack and Jarrod Lack; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Memorials may be made in honor of Lois Ellis to: First Baptist Church "G.L.O.", 1442 North 2nd Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; or to Day Nursery of Abilene, 650 Cedar Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.