1962
LuAnn
2011
LuAnn A. Ellis
December 9, 1962 — January 17, 2011
GASTONIA -- Cancer defeated LuAnn Allison Ellis' physical body long before it could touch her heart or spirit. But after a yearlong battle, LuAnn could fight no more and she died at home in her sleep on Monday morning, Jan. 17, 2011.
LuAnn's friends enjoyed sampling her cooking, helping her learn how to knit, or just spending time in her company. No one made a better pot of spaghetti. She was soft-spoken, but could remind you real quickly that dynamite can come in small packages.
She loved her husband, Kevin, and their two daughters, Allison and Lindsey, more than herself. She rooted for the underdogs in life and the Tar Heels in sports. She taught her daughters that as long as you make choices for the right reasons you didn't have to worry about the outcome. She taught Bible school and mentored in Gaston County Schools.
As a wife, she was more precious than rubies. As a Christian, she accepted this world did not hold her treasures.
She nicknamed herself "pine knot" as she battled breast cancer for a second time, convinced that she was tough enough to beat this disease if it was God's will. LuAnn inspired others because she never gave up hope, never complained or asked, "Why me?" Toward the end, her only concern was for her girls.
LuAnn was a collector. She had hundreds of cookbooks from which to sample. She enjoyed teaching her two girls and their friends how to cook everything from ratatouille to chocolate chip cookies. She enjoyed crafts, spending months to complete a cross-stitch of one of her husband's favorite hiking trails and then framing it for his birthday.
She was active in Gaston County Relay for Life.
LuAnn was born on Dec. 9, 1962, to the late James Ervin and Mary Lou "Mimi" Allison of Marion and Gastonia. LuAnn grew up in Old Fort and earned a bachelor's degree from Mars Hill College. Most of her working life centered around various positions in local government, first for the city of Marion and later in the town of Cramerton. Her cancer was agressive and attacked her brain so she did not work past her initial diagnosis on Jan. 4 and retired later in 2010.
Other survivors include a sister, Rebecca Cothron and brother-in-law, David of Marion; nephews Jarrett and Hunter Cothron; a sister-in-law, Stephanie St. James and her husband David of San Antonio and their daughters, Savannah and Sydney; her in-laws, John and Alice Ellis of Pharr, Texas; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral service conducted by Mike Morton will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Gastonia Church of Christ. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday.
A graveside service will take place 3 p.m. Thursday at McDowell Memorial Park in Marion with Will T. Winchester and Jim Hunter officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Youth Bible Camp fund, Gastonia Church of Christ, 1919 N. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Withers and Whisnant Funeral Home of Gastonia is serving the Ellis family.
LuAnn's friends enjoyed sampling her cooking, helping her learn how to knit, or just spending time in her company. No one made a better pot of spaghetti. She was soft-spoken, but could remind you real quickly that dynamite can come in small packages.
She loved her husband, Kevin, and their two daughters, Allison and Lindsey, more than herself. She rooted for the underdogs in life and the Tar Heels in sports. She taught her daughters that as long as you make choices for the right reasons you didn't have to worry about the outcome. She taught Bible school and mentored in Gaston County Schools.
As a wife, she was more precious than rubies. As a Christian, she accepted this world did not hold her treasures.
She nicknamed herself "pine knot" as she battled breast cancer for a second time, convinced that she was tough enough to beat this disease if it was God's will. LuAnn inspired others because she never gave up hope, never complained or asked, "Why me?" Toward the end, her only concern was for her girls.
LuAnn was a collector. She had hundreds of cookbooks from which to sample. She enjoyed teaching her two girls and their friends how to cook everything from ratatouille to chocolate chip cookies. She enjoyed crafts, spending months to complete a cross-stitch of one of her husband's favorite hiking trails and then framing it for his birthday.
She was active in Gaston County Relay for Life.
LuAnn was born on Dec. 9, 1962, to the late James Ervin and Mary Lou "Mimi" Allison of Marion and Gastonia. LuAnn grew up in Old Fort and earned a bachelor's degree from Mars Hill College. Most of her working life centered around various positions in local government, first for the city of Marion and later in the town of Cramerton. Her cancer was agressive and attacked her brain so she did not work past her initial diagnosis on Jan. 4 and retired later in 2010.
Other survivors include a sister, Rebecca Cothron and brother-in-law, David of Marion; nephews Jarrett and Hunter Cothron; a sister-in-law, Stephanie St. James and her husband David of San Antonio and their daughters, Savannah and Sydney; her in-laws, John and Alice Ellis of Pharr, Texas; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral service conducted by Mike Morton will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Gastonia Church of Christ. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday.
A graveside service will take place 3 p.m. Thursday at McDowell Memorial Park in Marion with Will T. Winchester and Jim Hunter officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Youth Bible Camp fund, Gastonia Church of Christ, 1919 N. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Withers and Whisnant Funeral Home of Gastonia is serving the Ellis family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of LuAnn A. Ellis, please visit our flower store.
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