Mary Ellen (Lane) Ellis of Roswell, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly in Tampa, Florida, Friday, May 29, 2015. Mary Ellen was a member of a pioneer family that came to Tampa in 1848. She was born June 29, 1944 to Martha Bostwick and Robert Benjamin (Benny) Lane. She graduated from Plant High School and attended Queens College in North Carolina. While at Queens, Mary Ellen pledged Kappa Delta and met her husband, Robert (Bob) Ellis on a blind date. They married in 1964 and lived on the base in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Bob's work in retail led them to live in Lakeland and Tampa, Florida, "up north" to Newtown, Connecticut and back south to Roswell, Georgia.
Mary Ellen was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Janis Lane Funk. She is survived by her husband, Bob Ellis, three daughters, Marty Sisarsky (Jeff), Melissa Ellis (Jeff Doyle), and Meredith Brennan (Numi), 6 grandchildren (Emma, Ben and Jackson Sisarsky, Morgan and Mollie Doyle, and Charlie Brennan), brother Bobby Lane (Sherri) , brother-in-law (Doug Funk), and nephews (Bryan and Daniel Lane).
For much of her life, Mary Ellen was a proud homemaker and devoted mother. Her crispy, fried okra will be missed, as will her winning way with children (especially her own and her grandchildren). Later in life, Mary Ellen became a valued Customer Service Representative with Wachovia Bank in Roswell. Mary Ellen proudly participated in The Junior Leagues of Lakeland, Tampa, and Danbury, and was a volunteer at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Even though she made close friendships above the Mason-Dixon Line, she reminded us daily of her firm Southern roots. She had a friend named “Yank”, who in turn called her “Rebel”! Mary Ellen and Bob celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year with a trip to Yellowstone National Park with all of their children and grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held on June 3rd, First Presbyterian Church, Tampa, 11:00AM. Family and friends will be received afterwards. Graveside service, 1:00PM at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park. A memorial service will also be planned for her in Roswell, GA. Flowers will be accepted, as will donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements under the direction of Blount & Curry FH-Macdill Chap, TAMPA, FL.
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