Our sweet beautiful mother, Barbara Jean Monical Ellingburg Willis, known to our family as “GG” was born June 15, 1932 Barbara Monical in Houston, Texas. She spent most of her life in Houston but lived many of her younger years in California. She entered in to God’s presence on November 25, 2014. She brought joy to everyone she knew and will be missed tremendously.
Mom is survived by her four children, Pat Holcomb Stone with husband Roy, Diana Kimbro, William Ellingburg Jr. and Sheryl Payne.
Preceded in death is her beloved husband George Willis, father Art Monical, mother Dixie Lockerman, and grandson Billy Kimbro.
Survived by sisters Pat Mitchell, Dixie Elder, brothers Joe and Kenneth Lockerman. Grandchildren Chris Holcomb wife Deborah, Christy Bunch husband Alex, Bryan Stone wife Kay and Lisa Ellingburg.
Great grandchildren Brianna Holcomb, Lauryl Kimbro Bankhead, Jacob Owens, Ashlee Maddox, Nikki Galindo, husband Alex, Krystal Stone, Kailee Stone, Grant Bunch, Jude Bunch and Aiden Bunch. One great great child Macie Galindo. Many special nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
As a teenager she performed on one of the earlier talent shows, Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Mom studied “light” opera for eight years. She passed her special love of music on to her children and grandchildren. Mom spent many years singing for her family, friends, community functions and her devoted husband George.
Mom never liked the idea of being called “great grandmother or “great great grandmother”, she asked to be called “GG” instead and so her legend began.
Mom won the Conroe Courier “Mother of the Year” in May 2006. She was a strong will determined woman. As a young bride she was unable to drive when she moved to a dairy farm. That did not stop our Mom. She took to the pastures and learned how to drive. She worked over 20 years as a department manager for Montgomery Wards before retiring with her husband, George. Mom and George were a couple of “characters” as the story goes. They loved going to any party or function that required a costume whether Mr. and Ms. Claus, hillbillies, or in a roaring 20s “flapper” dress with her “convict” George. Mom once told a story of being asked to leave a mall when dressed in an Easter rabbit costume. She had just left from entertaining at a nursing home for Easter and decided to take a stroll at the mall. Mom loved a good joke and it seemed like she could remember every joke she ever heard. She loved the Christmas holidays and was the type of person to never meet a stranger.
Mom was an “avid” Barbie doll collector. She knew when every doll was released and their value. She shared this hobby with her good friend, Barbara Gibbs and was a member of the “First Houston Doll Club” for many years.
The family will receive visitors on Monday December 1 at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060 Houston Texas. Services are set for Tuesday December 2 at the funeral home. After cremation Mom will be interned with her husband George at the Houston VA Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to her favorite charity, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105
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