Iva Lee Ellis, 95, of Beaumont, died December 18, 2010, in Corpus Christi. She was born January 21, 1915, in Fields, Louisiana, to Melissa Bean Powell and Ollie C. Powell, but lived most of her life in Beaumont, Texas. She graduated from Beaumont High School in 1932 and eloped with the love of her life, “Bob” Ellis in 1933. 

Survivors include her three children, Bobbye Clifton Ellis Hilliard, Ralph “Bunny” Ellis, and Arthur Lee Ellis; seven very blessed grandchildren, Missy Hilliard Feistel of Newton,Bob Hilliard of Corpus Christi,Tracey Ellis-Satterwhite of Richmond,Shannon Ellis-Duncan of Houston, Suzanne Ellis-Bennett of League City, Phillip Ellis of Houston, Alexandra Ellis of Dallas,  thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild all to which she was “Moms”.

She is preceded in death by her grandson, Del Hilliard.

She had a large circle of friends but her sister, Hazel Powell Hardin was her closest.  The two never lived far from each other and were inseparable until Hazel’s death in 1997. They started and ended each day with a phone call and in between the two loved to shop!  They were “Auntie” to each other’s children and truly loved them as their own.    Iva Lee had a true servant’s heart and spent her life putting others before herself.  

She created a warm and loving home for her husband, children and grandchildren all of whom loved spending time at her table eating her home cooking or on the couch with her as she patted them on the leg, her favorite gesture of affection.  Her king-sized bed was always a haven for her grandchildren to “pile up” with a coke float and rest after college finals, a late night out or romantic break ups. They always felt better after being loved on by Moms!  She was a peacemaker and disliked any sort of quarrel and always strove to keep a harmonious home.  She collected dolls, enjoyed watching ice skating on television and loved an ice cold Coca-Cola (her only true vice!).  She was an avid letter writer and wrote her children and grandchildren weekly until her sight deteriorated.  Her letters were full of family news, happenings at her church, the weather and many times included a short article or recipe from the Beaumont Enterprise.   She loved the Lord with all of her heart and served Him actively through her church, First Christian Church in Beaumont.  She had hope in Christ and, “…will soar on wings like eagles, will run and not grow weary, will walk and not grow faint” as she is at home with Him

A graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 20, 2010, at Trout Creek Cemetery, Kirbyville, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.