Jane H. Ellis passed away on April 12, 2024. She was born on December 2, 1939, in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Eleanor Bradford and James Dewitt Hester. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bessie Edins and Edward Martin Bradford, and Rebecca Sparks and James Edward Hester.
Jane graduated from Shades Valley High School and the University of Alabama, where she earned a BS degree in Home Economics Education, with a minor in history. Jane did free-lance interior design and sales at Ethan Allen, Beacon House, and Bridges Antique stores.
Living on the campus of Indian Springs School as wife of a teacher, Jane entertained students, their parents, other teachers, and their families in her home. Off campus, as husband Charles restored a log cabin on their land near Vincent, she employed her interior design skills in helping with the cabin’s design and decorating with family antiques and other antique treasures she had collected.
Jane loved gardening, decorating, and collecting antiques. She also enjoyed seeing her friends and serving the community through several clubs and organizations. She was a long-time member of the Arlington Historical Association, where she served as president, vice president, assistant treasurer, docent, and a decorator at Christmas. Jane was also a member of the Antiquarian Society, serving as president, vice president, and treasurer. With the Home Garden club, she was president, vice president, corresponding and recording secretaries. As a member of the Women’s Committee of 100, she was chairman of the Lunch ‘n Learn Committee. Jane was also a member of the Guild of the Birmingham Music Club. She and Charles were members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Jane is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Charles Hoyt Ellis, Jr., their daughter, Holly Mims Ellis Whatley (Prince), and grandchildren Alice Mims Whatley and Katherine (Katie) Prince Whatley, all of Birmingham.
Friends are cordially invited to the visitation at 2:00 pm and service at 3:00 pm on Friday, April 19 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The church is located at 3736 Montrose Road, Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Special thanks go to her caregivers, especially Tracy Shepherd and Keyon Woods.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given in memory of Jane to Marion Medical Mission (mmmwater.org), The Maranathan Academy in Birmingham (maranathanacademy.com), the Salvation Army (salvationarmyalm.org), or a charity of your choice.
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