Cynthia Louise Ellard

Passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2012, after a long fulfilling life. She was born March 4, 1919, in Lovick Alabama to the late Lee & Dera Ingram. Louise started her education in a one room school house in Lovick and graduated in 1937 from Leeds High School. After high school, she married the late Thomas Ellard on June 27, 1937. They were happily married for 43 years. Together they were blessed with five children. While raising her children Louise was involved for many years in the PTA serving at the local and state level. She also served in many capacities with the Women's Civic Club of Birmingham. She studied Parliamentary Law for many years and used her knowledge to educate others. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Irondale where she served in many capacities, but the nursery was her first love. She loved her Church and Church Family.

Louise was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas Ellard and her beloved children, Tommy Ellard and Twyla Wilson. She is also preceded in death by nine of her eleven siblings.

Survivors include her children, Jeanie (Ed) Dillashaw, David (Sharon) Ellard, Rodger Ellard, and daughter-in-law, Dean Ellard, She is also survived by her grandchildren, Barry Ellard (Deana), Mark Dillashaw (Becky), Kim McDanal (J.W.), Tim Wilson (Wendy), Beth Yarbrough (Randy), Brien Ellard (Lori),Shannon Dillashaw (Lori), Allison Wilson. She is also survived by many great grandchildren and her sister, Joyce McCue (Mack), El Paso, TX, and brother, Al Ingram, Birmingham along with many nieces and nephews.

Louise devoted herself enthusiastically to her community of Irondale where she lived most of her life. She expanded her horizons by traveling all over the world. She was very civic minded and gave back to the community in many ways including displaying her extensive camel collection at the Irondale Library.

Louise was loved by all of her relatives and friends and will be greatly missed. She had many close relationships especially with her nieces and had a special place in her heart for her nephew, Freddie Rothe and his wife LuLu who were always there for her. She also had a close relationship with her friends, Larry Dillashaw, and Richard and Sharon Harris.

The family will always be grateful for the wonderful care and love that was extended to Louise by her caregivers, Bettie Powe, Effie Thurman, Shirley Boyd, Deidrie Davis and Joyce Quinn.

A celebration of her life will take place Monday, July 2, 2012 at 2 PM, with the visitation from 12 PM until 2 PM Monday, at Ridout's Trussville Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to First Baptist Church of Irondale 6000 Old Leeds Road Irondale, AL 35210.