Jean Ellis

Jean Ellis was born in Dallas, Texas on September 5, 1937 to Les and Agnes Craig. She graduated from San Jacinto High School in Houston in 1955. Shortly after, she crossed paths with a handsome bowler, G. Don Ellis, at three different bowling alleys, all in one week. By the third run-in, they decided it was fate and Don quickly swept Jean off her feet.

Don and Jean spent a few weeks together before he received an offer to move to Chicago and bowl for Brunswick lanes. He told Jean that he couldn’t do a long-distance romance, in which Jean firmly replied, “Well then I guess I am coming with you!” Two short weeks later, on June 4, 1956, they were married. This began a 63 year love story.

They started their life together in Chicago where their first two children, Denise and Paula, were born. After returning to their hometown of Houston 5 years later, they were blessed with two more children, Don and Dolores. The family spent summers water skiing at Lake Livingston, winters snow skiing in Colorado, and the time in-between successfully building their family business. In addition to establishing a memorable life, they continue to build a family legacy with 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and Emerald Bowl -- Grandad’s favorite place to teach the kids how to bowl.

Jean was a member of Sugar Creek Country Club where she enjoyed playing bridge or lunching with her friends. Jean loved gardening, dancing, and occasionally playing golf, tennis and bowling. While Jean was an active member in the community, her favorite role by far, was being a loving wife, mom, grandmom and great grandmom.

Jean was known as the matriarch of the Ellis family. She was full of life, laughter, and lots of lipstick, which she continually applied to plant kisses on everyone’s cheeks. Jean’s smile and spirit will be missed, but her friends and family will continue to celebrate her life, elegance and wit while she watches over us from heaven’s dance floor.