Mary Frances Ellard's Obituary
Ellard – Mary Frances, 83, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 2, 2017. She was born December 1, 1933 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Charles L. Martin and Alpha Simmons Martin. After studying two years at the University of Tulsa, Mary transferred to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, later obtaining her Masters Degree in Business at North Texas State University. Mary enjoyed a long career with International Paper Corporation in Dallas and later as an Instructor of Nighttime College Business Courses at Richland Community College in Dallas. While at SMU, Mary met her future husband, Harold Austin Ellard. They married in 1956 in Tulsa. Together they had 3 daughters, who were the joy of Mary’s life. Everyone who knew Mary will long remember her as a loving, selfless, precious gem of a human being, who always put the welfare of others before her own and was always thinking of doing something for someone else, never expecting or wanting anything in return. As a Christian, she lived out her faith daily. Later in life, she traveled to Hawaii, Nevada and to Tulsa many times to help care for both of her siblings and their spouses during their final illnesses. She dearly loved her family, friends, her pets, her home. Mary Frances is preceded in death by her husband, her sister, Mildred Hickerson, and her brother, William A. Martin. She is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Acker of Honolulu; Jennifer and Scott McCullough of Dallas and Mary Catherine Ellard of Dallas, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Chapel Service and Burial is at Restland Funeral Home & Cemetery, Abbey Chapel in Dallas on Monday, October 9, 2017, at 12 Noon, with interment at Restland Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The United Way’s The Family Place.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?