Ernestine Delores Ellis

The beautiful life of Ernestine “Teenie” Delores Ellis, known to many by various names, began on December 22, 1927 in Leath, Pennsylvania, where she was born to Virginia McReynolds and Robert Booth. The second oldest of ten children and the oldest daughter, Teenie and her siblings eventually moved and grew up in the close-knit town of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. From the start, Teenie was a self-professed “tomboy” who enjoyed the outdoors, playing baseball, riding dirt bikes and racing the boys, all of whom she claimed to beat. She also developed a love for cheerleading but was forced to give it up after a tumbling accident that injured her back. As one of the oldest, “Big Sis” Teenie became a mother figure to all of her younger siblings – a role which would come to define her life in many ways. While working as a young adult, she reconnected with a life-long school classmate and Uniontown neighbor, Robert “Ugie” Ellis (aka Bob) when he returned home from a tour of service in the United States Army in 1949. Although they were only acquaintances at the time and both dating other people, Bob asked Teenie to go on a date. This led to two weeks of actual dating before Bob finally proposed to Teenie - the two were married on March 5th, 1949. Shortly after, Robert was shipped out for the Korean War, which was the beginning of their Army life. They would go on to be stationed in Savannah, Georgia and San Juan, Puerto Rico, where a car accident critically injured Bob, forcing them to leave active duty and settle in Brooklyn, New York, where the rest of Teenie’s family had migrated from Pennsylvania. Once in New York, Teenie became the “Jill of All Trades,” working as a caretaker, housekeeper, nanny and teacher. As the majority of her siblings were now in New York as well, she quickly became “Aunt Teenie” and shortly thereafter, “Mommy,” to Laura Michelle , in 1956. Teenie and Bob eventually left Brooklyn for Westbury, New York, where they raised Laura and lived for almost 30 years. Mostly a homemaker, Teenie continued to work in jobs that allowed her to be who she was – a caretaker and nurturer of others. Perhaps her proudest career moment was opening up her own thrift store, “Potpourri” in 1980, a business she would eventually sell for a profit. “Grandma” was the next name added when she became a grandmother to Lauren Jenѐ in 1982. Once the business was sold, she continued to work various care giver positions, which included a teacher and paraprofessional at her granddaughter’s preschool, earning her the affectionate name “Grandma Ellis” from the other children. Teenie and Robert decided to retire from Westbury to Spring Hill, Florida in 1994, where they would find a church home in New Hope Baptist Church and make dozens of lifelong friends. As they grew wiser, Teenie and Bob decided moving closer to their Daughter and Granddaughter would be beneficial, and they moved to Grayson, Georgia in 2005. They again found a church home at Tabernacle Baptist Church and enjoyed what would be their last years together before Robert passed away on February 8, 2008, after almost 60 years of marriage. Losing her best friend was a painful hurdle, but as always, she navigated this by relying on her Lord and Savior, her family and her friends. She stayed active, living alone until she was 90 years old and remained creative, writing poetry, coloring and sending cards or letters when people were on her mind. Teenie was also able to add one more name to her list – “Grammie” when her great grandchildren Robert (b. 2009), Malia (b. 2015) and Trey (b. 2017) were born. Teenie lost a short battle with Leukemia, passing away peacefully in her sleep on June 6, 2020. She is survived by her Daughter, Laura, Granddaughter Lauren, Grandson-in-law, Malcolm, Great-Grandchildren Robert, Malia and Trey; her siblings Marian, Lorna, Duane andDarrell; a host of nieces, nephews (grands and great grands), friends and scores of others who were lucky enough to blessed by her presence, love, prayers and upliftment. Her memory and spirit will forever live on through those who loved her dearly. Mrs. Ernestine Delores Ellis of Stone Mountain, GA passed away on June 6, 2020. Her services are entrusted to Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home, Gwinnett Chapel (770-338-5558)

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Ernestine Delores Ellis

December 22, 1927 - June 6, 2020