Ellen Blackwell Eley passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the age of 98.  Services for Mrs. Eley will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 1321 North 7^th Street, West Monroe, LA.  The service will be officiated by Pastor Nick Wagner.  Visitation for family and friends will be from 10:00 A.M. until service time, Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Kilpatrick Serenity Gardens, West Monroe, LA.  All services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe.

Ellen was living in her home up until the last two weeks of her life.  She was born in Montrose, Mississippi on October 30, 1925, the youngest of ten children.  She was preceded in death by her nine siblings, one of whom was her beloved twin, Annie Helen.  Ellen loved to talk about her childhood in that small rural town; things like riding a mule to get the corn ground into meal, and she and her twin spending summers with her older sister Nila in Arkansas.

Ellen earned an Associate’s Degree in Education from East Central Mississippi Junior College, and worked for a while as a teacher’s assistant before deciding to be a full-time mom.  She was active for many years in the Claiborne Methodist Church.  Some of Ellen’s happiest times were spent meeting with her friends in the United Methodist Women.  She loved to read, loved Big Band music, loved to ride her bicycle, loved to work in the yard, and loved her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of over 51 years, Hugh R. Eley, Sr. (her beloved “Spec”) and her daughter-in-love, Deborah East Eley, as well as her nine siblings.  She is survived by her three children, Hugh R. Eley, Jr., Susan Norris and husband John, and Martha Eley.  Martha was her primary caregiver and companion for the last several years.   Ellen is also survived by three grandsons, Stephen Black, Daniel Black and wife Saffron, Michael Black and wife Kelli, and by four great-grandchildren, Veronica, Lorelai, Margot and Alex.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Black, Daniel Black, Michael Black, Hugh Eley, Jr., Paul Eley,  and James Eley, Jr.

Memorial donations may be made to Claiborne Methodist Church, 5401 Cypress St, West Monroe, LA, 71291.

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