Mrs. Verna Louise Ellis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Verna L. Ellis was born October 1, 1943 in Kansas City, Kansas to Evelyn Murphy and Stonewall Jackson. She passed away on Monday, January 27, 2020 at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 76 years. She became a resident of Saginaw, Michigan after moving from Kansas City, KS in 1944. On November 7, 1978 she married John Ellis, Jr., her husband of 41 years. She attended Delta College receiving an Associate’s Degree as a Registered Nurse and she furthered her education earning her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing from Ferris State University. Verna continued her quest for knowledge and later obtained her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix. Mrs. Ellis retired from HealthSource Saginaw. She began instructing as a Licensed Practical Nurse Professor at LaToya’s Health Education & Training, while working part-time as a contracted nurse for HealthSource. She was a member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member of the Mothers’ Board, and enjoyed singing in the choir. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, fishing and traveling; especially to Florida where the majority of her children and grandchildren reside. Verna leaves behind to cherish many memories, her husband, John Ellis, Jr., Saginaw, MI; mother, Evelyn Murphy, Saginaw, MI; five daughters, Rebecca McAdory, Largo, FL, Livinia (Maurice) Collins, New Port Richey, FL, Rosanna (Lawrence) Knowles, Brandon, FL, Tina (Donnell) Smith, St. Petersburg, FL, and Mary Collins, Saginaw, MI; one brother, Ronald Williams, Saginaw, MI; eleven grandchildren, Derek Smith, Lakeland, FL, Jonathan Wilson, Reno, NV, Joseph (Nicole) Comer, Jr., Bradenton, FL, Stephon McAdory, Largo FL, Jasmine (Juahn) Evans, Lamont Collins, all of Dunedin, FL, Daniel (Paulina) Collins and Quentin Knowles, both of Brandon, FL, Felicia Collins, St. Petersburg, FL, C’erra Jackson and Aaliyah Layton, both of Saginaw, MI; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including special friends, Earlie Gipson and Sandy Johnson, both of Saginaw, MI. Mrs. Ellis was preceded in death by her son, Ronald Stapleton; father, Stonewall Jackson; grandmother, Girtha Green and great-grandmother, Lula Kendall. Family Hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. with funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607. Rev. John L. Williams will officiate with entombment in Oakwood Memorial Mausoleum , 5950 Gratiot Rd., Saginaw, MI 48638. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Verna Louise Ellis

October 1, 1943 - January 27, 2020