Barbara Jan Ellison, 69, died on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, after her battle with CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and lymphoma.
Jan’s infectious smile was loved by everyone along with her kind nature, generous spirit and heart of a servant. One of her favorite ways to serve was being the chauffeur for her family, friends and anyone who would tag along on her adventures. She had a gift of recognizing the needs of others and worked tirelessly to make sure all their needs were met big or small. She exemplified the Christian example of a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all who knew her. She never met a stranger and everyone that was blessed to meet her felt welcomed and shown the love of Christ.
Jan loved to take pictures of everyone and everything she experienced in life. She also loved to travel and spend time with her grandchildren watching their various activities. She enjoyed reading her Bible and other spiritual materials, shopping with her sister and spending time with her friends and lunch bunch from church. She loved to cook for family and events and was famous for her chicken and dumplings and homemade kraut and pork. She was known to always be on the go and her motto was: “Places to go and things to see.”
Jan was born at the home of her aunt Mary on Sand Mountain on June 20, 1949, to Wendell and Thelma Palmer. She attended Davis School and graduated in 1967, where she was a member of the basketball team, majorette and homecoming queen, and where she served on several clubs and organizations and the Loveman’s Teen Board. After graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, William Donald “Donnie” Ellison, on Nov. 29, 1968, and began working various jobs while Donnie was in the U.S. Army. The couple began a family in 1973 and added their second child in 1977.
In 1988, she began serving her community working as a clerk for Dade County Probate Judge John Bradford. In 1992, Jan was elected as probate judge herself and honorably served her community for five consecutive terms. She retired after 20 years of service in 2012. While serving as judge, she continued her service on numerous boards and civic organizations.
After retirement she joined the Gold Star Wives Organization, where she served graciously as the Southeast parliamentarian for two years and the Magnolia Chapter parliamentarian for another two years. She also belong to the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Jan was a member of White Oak Baptist Church for 49 years and served there as treasurer, Sunday school teacher and nursery attendant for many years. In 2016, she had the privilege to be part of the Zimbabwe Mission team where she taught Bible school, witnessed throughout the villages and loved on the little children and widows.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donnie Ellison; parents, Wendell & Thelma Palmer; inlaws, Sonny Ellison, Porter and Betty Ellison, Laverne Holland and special aunt, Mary.
Survivors include her daughter, Holly (Shawn) Moore; son, Clinton (Amber) Ellison; sister, Billie (Carlie) Wheeler; brother, Buddy (Linda) Palmer; grandchildren, John, Garrett, Zoie, Emma, Grant, Carson and Sarah Mae; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Jeff Daniels and Brother Lonnie Denny officiating. Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday noon-8 p.m. and Wednesday 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to White Oak Baptist Church, Gold Star Wives-Magnolia Chapter, or St. Jude Research Hospital.
Please leave your thoughts and prayers at www.moorefuneralhometrenton.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton, Georgia.
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