Mary Alice Ellis, 94, passed away Wednesday, November 26 at Arbor Trace.

She was born on July 25, 1931, to John Garton and Louise Burgess Ellis.  She was the third of their 13 children.

Mary graduated from Richmond High School in 1949.  She worked for the Hudson Corporation as a cashier at the movie theatres in downtown Richmond.  Later she worked as a maid at the Holiday Inn.

When her mother became ill, she stayed at home to help with the household.  She helped with her younger siblings and kept house for the family.  After the death of her parents, she remained in the family home to be a refuge for family members who needed her help until 2005 when she sold the house and moved into Interfaith Apartments.  She resided there until her illness in 2025.   Mary was the life blood of the family.  She became the caregiver, babysitter, mentor, and parent to many of the family.  For someone who never married or had children of her own, she was "mother" or "grandmother" to many.  She was also known as the "great" Aunt Mary to many of her "great" nieces and nephews.

She was loved and will be missed by many.  She is survived by her sister, Cecelia (Lou) Spicer, 13 nieces and 13 nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers:  John, Vern, Vaughn, Frank, Bill, George and Paul; sisters:  Una Ziegler, LouAnn Lair, Janet Hathaway and Jane Johnson; nephews; Michael Ziegler and Wendell Johnson.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 1, at 1:00 P.M. at the Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared with the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com.