Mildred B. Ellis' Obituary
Mildred Barrett was born in the East Texas city of Palestine to the parents of Eldridge Barrett and Minnie Wells. As the second oldest child of eight and the oldest girl, she had a sense of responsibility for family. She went to work at an early age to earn money to help support her family. She taught and supported her siblings and did all that she could to ensure their well-being. Despite being born into a humble and love-filled beginning, she was determined to help provide a better life for the people that she cherished the most.She worked to put herself through college, attending Texas State University (now Texas Southern University), obtaining her Bachelor’s degree and graduating Salutatorian of her class. She married Joe Earl Ellis and this union produced three daughters named Deborah, Brenda and Janet.Upon graduation, Mildred went to work in the Community ISD in Nevada, TX and in year 1957 placed roots in Hamilton Park. Mildred taught for 37 years in the same school district until retirement. She taught elementary school for most of her years, loving the innocence and spirit of 3rd graders. Through the years she coached the girl’s high school basketball team which won several trophies – enough so that when the school was torn down for desegregation, there were enough trophies for many of the team members to have one.Mildred was featured in the national “Who’s Who” among America’s teachers. She was recognized for her performance and earned Outstanding Teacher of the year several times by school superintendents and other officials. She didn’t make it easy with multiple choice tests. Her students had to demonstrate their learning in detail in order to advance in school.Mildred was active in the community, joining several organizations within the Hamilton Park United Methodist Church. She was a tenured member of the Alter & Flower Guild, Mature Adults ministry and helped in the Food Pantry. She joined the Hamilton Park Civic League immediately upon moving into the neighborhood.She was a country girl at heart, enjoying the outdoors by fishing, working in her garden and yard. Indeed she had one of the prettiest yard in the community. Countless numbers of people would stop by to hear her secrets that produced the most beautiful lawn you would ever see.In the Hamilton Park community, she invested time in children. She spoke to them about the importance of grooming despite their financial circumstance. She taught life lessons – saving for the future, fixing a flat tire, growing vegetables & fruits for survival, good manners and social etiquette, voting, taking care of each other – just to name a few. She encouraged them to stay out of trouble so that they could succeed in life and contribute positively to society.Mildred was particularly devoted to her daughters and made them her first priority. She focused on their education even over the summer months as well as social skills. She taught them how to behave as women and made sure that they were independent and prepared for life.Mildred’s memory is cherished by daughters Deborah Ellis Favors (Will Hill), Brenda Ellis Jordan and Janet Ellis Marzett; sisters Annie Lee Birdow and Margie Nell Hallman; brother David Goree (Laura); grandchildren Geoffrey Jordan, Christopher Jordan, Kelli Marzett and Dayton Marzett; 3 greatgrandchildren and a host of other family members and friends. Mildred is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Liller Hayes and Mary Elizabeth Goree; brothers Fred Johnson and Fleming Goree. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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