Marie Cecelia Sullenger Ellis

Marie Cecelia Sullenger Ellis, 96, formerly of Hampton, SC entered into Eternal Rest on April 22, 2022. She was the widow of Edgar Priester “E.P.” Ellis, Jr. Born March 28, 1926, in Nashville, TN, she was the only child of Mary Cecelia O’Brien and William Henry Sullenger. She graduated from Winthrop College in 1948 and completed post-grad work at the University of SC and the University of TN.

Marie’s accomplishments are numerous and her legacy has left touches all over the state of SC. She worked for Clemson Extension in Lexington, Allendale, and Hampton Counties, as County School Food Supervisor and Title I Coordinator with the Hampton County Department of Education; volunteered at St. Mary Catholic Church and the Town of Hampton; was President of the SC School Food Service Association and the School Lunch Division of the SC Education Association; as well as multiple other committees and organizations. She volunteered as the director of the Hampton Museum and Visitors’ Center from 1989 to 2011. In gratitude, the Town of Hampton dedicated the HMVC to her. One of her greatest accomplishments was the creation of the Native American Walking Trail in Hampton County.

She was an amateur artist and crafts student and teacher. She taught students of all ages through the years but remained a student herself until her death. She belonged to multiple bridge clubs and valued the friendships and comradeship they brought her. She also cherished her time creating beautiful ceramic pieces with her beloved fellow “Crack Pots.”

Marie never slowed down and in 2014 self-published a short book of her life entitled “Memories”.

Marie’s greatest joy was her family and especially her role as “Mimi”. She is survived by her children, William “Billy” H. Ellis of Columbia, Mary R. Ellis of Columbia, and Lee P. Ellis (Vivian) of Seabrook; her grandchildren, Anne-Marie E. Suchomski (Steven) of Sumter, John P. Ellis (Maggee) of Lexington, L. Patrick Ellis, II, and Ansley C. Ellis; and her great-grandchildren, Sean J. Suchomski, Addison P. Ellis, Sebastian C. Suchomski, Ryleigh Carson Ellis, and Serafina A. Suchomski. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, son, Edgar Priester “Eddie” Ellis, III, daughter-in-law, Mary A. Ellis, and dearest friend, Dea Amsler.

A lifelong Catholic, she was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Hampton and Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia since her move there in 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Hills, 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, SC on April 29, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Reverend George Rosario, C.Ss.R., Parochial Vicar. A graveside burial service will follow on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Hampton Cemetery in Hampton, SC at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to, St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund, 703 Fifth St., E., Hampton, SC 29924 or Hampton Museum & Visitors’ Center, 15 Elm St. E., Hampton, SC 29924, or The Crack Pots Ceramic Group c/o of Seven Oaks Recreation Center, 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.
 

 THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, VARNVILLE-HAMPTON CHAPEL

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