MARY ELLEN JOHNSON SCHNEIDER MARCH 19, 1930 – OCTOBER 4, 2013 Mary Ellen Johnson Schneider, wife of H. Graham Schneider, died on October 4, 2013 at the age of 83 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her father James “Jimmie” Lewis Johnson, her mother Eloise Thompson Johnson, her sister Betty Lorraine Schneider Crews, and her brother James “Jim Jr.” Lewis Johnson. Mary Ellen is survived by Graham, her beloved husband of 65 years; her son H. Graham Schneider, Jr.; her son and daughter-in-law James “Jimmie” Johnson Schneider and Jane Ziober Schneider; their three sons: John Brandon Schneider and his wife Kelly, Ryan Graham Schneider and his wife, Marci and James Davis Schneider and his wife, Caroline; her son Samuel Lowry Schneider and his daughter, Jessica Endsley Schneider; her sister Barbara Lee Johnson Patrick and many nieces and nephews. Mary Ellen was born in Lake Providence, LA, on March, 19, 1930. She graduated from Lake Providence High School and attended Louisiana Tech. On May 19, 1948 she married Graham, her childhood sweetheart, at First United Methodist Church in Lake Providence. They lived in Lake Providence where they raised their three sons until 1993, when they moved to Monroe. Mary Ellen was known as a lovely hostess and homemaker, always ready to make her guests welcome and relaxed. She enjoyed cooking and contributed to several cookbooks over the years. She loved art and painting which she pursued throughout her life creating dozens of paintings which she often gave to friends and family and donated for charitable causes. Mary Ellen was an active participant in numerous community organizations in Lake Providence. While living in Lake Providence, she served as President of the Women of Grace Episcopal Church, taught Sunday school and served on the Vestry. After she and Graham moved to Monroe, they both were active members of Grace Episcopal Church of Monroe and Bayou DeSiard Country Club. Mary Ellen and Graham loved to travel and after their sons graduated from high school, they traveled frequently around the nation and throughout the world. They especially loved river cruises throughout Europe. When they were in Monroe, they loved to dine out which they did most evenings with family and friends. Mary Ellen will be deeply missed as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her sweet smile, kindness and wonderful sense of humor will always be remembered. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 7, 2013 at 2:30 P.M., at Grace Episcopal Church, 405 Glenmar Avenue, Monroe, LA, with a visitation at Kilbourne Hall, adjacent to the church, at 1:30 P.M., one hour before the memorial service under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Association, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, NY, NY 10001 www.alzfdn.org or to Grace Episcopal Church, 405 Glenmar Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201 The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Dean Stockstill, Louisiana Hospice, the staff at The Terrace of West Monroe, Senior Care Services and especially to Olivia Gay, Mary Ellen's caregiver. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.