Naoma Fay Ellinwood

Naoma Ellinwood passed away on September 28, 2024, in her home with her family present. She was the youngest child of Gethard and Wilsie Bohanan and the wife of deceased husband Robert Ellinwood, who passed away on September 28, 2024. She was a beloved mother of 3, grandmother of 6, great-grandmother of 14 great-great-grandmother of 3, aunt, and faithful friend who will be sorely missed. Naoma was a ray of sunshine, touching the lives of so many. She was a woman who loved life and all those whom God placed in her path. Her daughters experienced her passionate love for them and others. She tolerated the girl's foolishness and was always ready to listen to their victories, heartaches, and aspirations. Naoma gave her children the faith, strength, and compassion to be the women they are today.

Her daughters never realized how poor they were because she always made them feel beautiful and sheltered. One winter she surprised her girls with ice cream made from fresh fallen snow, a little sugar, and vanilla. Naoma included her girls in caring for an elderly neighbor who needed dinners and a cheery visit. Once a train traveler came to the back door and asked for food. Naoma went in and prepared a nice lunch for him. One day, a woman dropped off her 4-year-old son and asked Naoma to care for him until she could provide for him. Petie became the girl's little brother and was assimilated into the family with abundant love until his mother returned. Naoma was an example of caring for family and friends. Eventually, when travel became difficult, phone calls and prayers sufficed. She was blessed to share her spare house with grandsons who needed a start in life and later her mother, who needed to be close. Naoma helped her oldest daughter hold two jobs, attend night college, and help raise three grandsons.

Though she suffered crippling rheumatoid arthritis, it did not stop her quest to care for others. Sickness did not prevent her from visiting friends and family or scenic rides in the country. Naoma taught her girls to be mothers who stood by family and friends. She listened and did not judge them but suggested alternatives to consider. She was a great example of balancing work, family, and friends. She taught her family endurance, patience, charity, and limitless love. Naoma was a guiding light to her children, a pillar of wisdom to her grandchildren, and a loving beauty to her great-grandchildren. She loved her nieces, nephews, and friends who were sources of happy memories, comfort, and joy. Naoma Ellinwood, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend will be deeply missed. Thank you for sharing your life and enduring love with us. The memories you have left behind will suffice until we meet again.