Carol Ann Ellis

A mass of christian burial for Carol will be held Friday, February 16, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Agnes Mission Church, 111 W Birch Ave, Pinedale, CA 93650. A graveside service will occur Friday, February 16, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery, 264 N Blythe Ave, Fresno, CA 93706. A reception will occur Friday, February 16, 2024 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at St. Agnes Mission Church Catering Hall, 111 W Birch Ave, Pinedale, CA 93650, Pinedale, CA 93650.

Carol Ann Ellis, born on December 1, 1943, in Hanford, CA, passed away on January 26, 2024, in Fresno. She was the eldest of three children born to Harold and Ann Smida, both first-generation Americans of Czech and Irish descent respectively.

In the 1940s, Carol's family settled in Fresno, where she attended San Joaquin Memorial High School. In 1990, she met the love of her life, Loren "Eddie" Ellis, at a dance, and the two became inseparable.

Professionally, Carol had a diverse career, holding positions at Pacific Bell and Nelson's Hardware before dedicating 21 years as an administrative assistant in the transportation department of the Selma Unified School District. Upon retirement, she found joy in vacationing on the Oregon coast and devoted over 15 years to volunteering in the gift shop at St. Agnes Hospital.

Survived by her devoted husband, Eddie, Carol is remembered by her children Brian Richardson and his wife Cheri, Kathleen Fernandez and her husband Danny, both of Fresno, stepson Robert Nelson and his wife Wendy of Wyoming, and stepdaughter Jean Spence of Arkansas. She leaves behind four cherished grandchildren: Derek Fernandez, Nicole Fernandez, Emilie Richardson, and Juliana Richardson, all of Fresno. Carol is also mourned by her brother, Gerry Smida of Mt. Shasta, and his son, Christopher Smida of Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Veronica Smida-Weber.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agnes Mission Church, 111 W. Birch Ave., Pinedale, on Friday, February 16th, 2024, at 11 am. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, with a luncheon at the St. Agnes Mission hall.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her memory to the Saint Agnes Service Guild, 1303 E. Herndon Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.

Serving as pallbearers are Jackson Weber, Brian Richardson, Derek Fernandez, Danny Fernandez, Robert Nelson and Jeff Gyle.