Mary Obituary

Mary Jo Newman Ellis, 84, of Lenoir City, passed peacefully to her heavenly reward on October 26, 2013. She was born August 7, 1929 in Soddy, TN to the Reverend C.M. and Hazel Newman. She was the oldest of four children. The family moved to Lenoir City in 1941 when Reverend Newman took the pastorate of the Sixth Ave Church of God. He pastored until 1950.
Mary Jo married the love of her life W. L. "Leroy" Ellis in 1947. They enjoyed 66 years together. Mary Jo's passion was for her church and her family. She retired after 20 years with Walmart of Lenoir City.
In addition to her husband she is survived by her children: Yvonne Hart of Oak Ridge, Darlene Smith of Morristown, Tonya Brashears and Wendell Ellis of Lenoir City, her sister Betty Bandy of Oak Ridge, brother R.L. Newman of Soddy-Daisy. She was preceded in death by her sister Debbie Newman Ford. She has eleven grand-children and 8 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the Sixth Ave Church of God on Tuesday, October 29th from 5-7 and a celebration of her life will be from 7-8PM with Dr. Ernie Varner, Rev. David Bandy, and Rev. Charles Fritts officiating. A graveside service will be October 30th at11:00AM at the Lenoir City Cemetery with Rev. James Bandy officiating.
The family requests In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sixth Avenue Church of God.