Elisabeth Woodward Ellis' Obituary
Elisabeth Woodward Ellis, age 100, went home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Libby was born October 5, 1924, to Mary Kelly Woodward Griswold Eldridge and Corbin Woodward, Sr. Born in Chattanooga, TN, the oldest of three siblings, Libby graduated from Girls Preparatory School as valedictorian and Agnes Scott College. It was at Agnes Scott college she met the poet, Robert Frost and more significantly, her future husband, William Henry Napier Ellis of South Carolina.
Mom often visited her Aunt Frances and Uncle Edward Brower in Druid Hills while she was attending Agnes Scott in Decatur, Ga. It was on their porch that she met Uncle Edwards’s military aide, Lt. William H. N. Ellis, a tall trim redhead, who became her husband of 64 years. “Nap” whisked her into the life of a postwar military wife.
Libby thrived on the life of a military family. They were stationed in Alaska (before statehood), Knoxville, Tenn., Long Island, NY, Okinawa, Japan, Atlanta, Ga., Ft. Lee, Va., and Bangkok, Thailand and Ft. Monroe, Va. Upon Naps’ retirement from the army, they settled in Tallahassee, Florida.
A natural teacher, Libby taught at the International School of Bangkok in the 1960s. Moving to Tallahassee, she enrolled in David Marshalls first Master Gardener class, led workshops, and judged flower shows. She grew experimental roses for Jackson & Perkins. When asked why she did not grow roses when the children were growing up, she replied, “You can tend roses or children but not both at the same time.”
Libby relished teaching over 20 years of Sunday School and then English to Internationals at First Baptist Church, Tallahassee. In her 70s, she spent a summer teaching English in Rota, Spain. She was a golden member of First Baptist Church.
Libby was a woman who loved roses and diamonds. Baseball diamonds. As a young girl she listened on the radio to the games of the Chattanooga Look Outs and kept box scores. Later her allegiance expanded to FSU basketball, baseball, football, and her beloved Atlanta Braves.
Mom always saved her holiday ironing until the World Series began. Throughout the series, she ironed and watched baseball. When the Baseball World Series went on strike in 1994, the first time in 90 years, it was a traumatic time in baseball history. Our mother went on strike as well. There were no linen tablecloths, hand towels or napkins at Thanksgiving or Christmas that year.
In later years, her daughters, Mary, and Julie traveled with her to the Braves spring training games in Orlando and Sarasota, taking time to enjoy Bok Tower gardens and Leu Gardens. Mary, Corbin, and mom traveled to Atlanta to see the Braves play during the World series. She never got over the nonsense of the designated hitter.
Mother loved to fish and was never happier than out on the flats of the Aucilla River. As often as possible, she was on Naps’ Boston Whaler with a rod in her hand and Gene Deckerhoff on the radio. She taught each of her grandchildren to fish as well. Nap and Libby were also enthusiastic members of the Tallahassee Power Squadron, promoting safe boating.
Mandalay, their river vacation home for more than 40 years, provided a place to host gatherings, enjoy family, scallop, crab, and fish. She and Nap planted the azaleas and boxwoods that encircle Mandalay. Mornings were coffee, her buttermilk pancakes, Bradley’s sausage and then off fishing. It was a piece of heaven on earth.
Mom enjoyed teaching Sunday school but teaching English as a second language, captured her heart. Her joy was helping lay the groundwork for the First Baptist Church International program. She and Nap hosted an annual Christmas party in their home for the students and their families. It was a traditional Christmas with an ornate tree, carols playing, Florida greenery draped with red ribbons, homemade candies, cookies, Plant City strawberries, Smithfield ham and her legendary potato rolls. They also held a Christmas Eve open house for friends and neighbors, leaving the party to attend evening church services and then returning to the festivities.
Libby is predeceased by her husband, William Henry Napier Ellis, her sister, Anne Woodward Simmons White of San Antonio, Texas, her brother, Corbin Woodward of Gig Harbor, Washington, and her eldest son, William Henry Napier Ellis, Jr.
Libby is survived by their son: Corbin Woodward Ellis and his wife, Deon, of Tallahassee, Fla.; by daughters: Mary Ellis McBride of Virginia Beach, Va.; and Julie Anne McBride and her husband, Michael, of Tallahassee, Fla.; daughter in law, Betty Ellis of Greenville, S.C., and by their grandchildren: David Lemuel Ellis of Florida, Lara McBride Harrison of Mons, Belgium, Anne McBride Gallion and her husband John, of Lynchburg, Va.; Conor Patrick Napier McBride of Madison, Fla. and Kathryn "Katy" Claire McBride of Tallahassee, Fla.
Libby also leaves behind beloved great grandchildren; Alexander Ellis Dickman and Ella Rose, Lillian Elisabeth, and Penelope Gwen Gallion, a niece, Bobbi Woodward, and nephews, John, Kelly, and Edward Simmons, their families, cousins, Thomas Jervey Kelly and his wife Diana, Nancy Kelly and Peter Kelly as well as numerous relatives and a multitude of friends.
Julie and Mary extend their sincere appreciation for the exceptional care provided by Lorraine Richardson in her remaining years.
An interment service will be held Saturday, Jan. 25th, at 10:00 AM at Roselawn Cemetery in Tallahassee, FL. The celebration of life will be at the Gardeners Cottage at Maclay Gardens after the service.
Expressions of sympathy and comfort may be shared at lifesongfunerals.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Garden Club of Tallahassee, the International Sunday School Department of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, FL, or the International School of Bangkok Foundation.
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