She went to school in Ragley and DeQuincy where she graduated. She was a local sweetheart,
but not a prissy girl. As a young girl, she loved riding horses and was known for riding out to
Beckwith Creek to meet her friends at the swimming hole. She always had lots of friends and
admirers were drawn to her fun, sweet spirit. She played forward on the school basketball team and
was a sure shot. After high school, Verna Rae went to business school in Lake Charles. She worked for Penton Lumber and then as secretary and bookkeeper for Boyer Oilfield Services. If you don’t have a recipe somewhere written on Boyer Oilfield stationary, then you are missing out. She was well known for her good home cooking.
She married James Ellis in 1947 at the home of Rev. George Glass Sr. in DeRidder. She loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening, and tending to her farm animals. Her yard was filled with beautiful flowers and trees. The tasty fruits and vegetables from the garden were not only shared and enjoyed, but canned and preserved. You never knew what surprise she might have in her apron pocket; a baby chick, a bunny, or something from the garden. When you were privileged enough to accompany her to the barn, it was always a special time shared with her. It might be helping feed a bottle-fed lamb, or simply tossing corn to the chickens. These memories are lived daily by at least two of her granddaughters, who are following in her footsteps, with farms of their own.
She was a great baker and enjoyed serving sweets with strong coffee to the many friends and family that frequented her home. She was always the perfect hostess. After her morning devotion and prayer time, her door was always open with the smell of coffee to greet anyone who dropped by. No matter how many were gathered around the table, there was always plenty of delicious food. During the Holidays, she was always baking and creating lots of sweet treats to share with family and neighbors. The memories of delivering those smile, producing goodies will stay with her grandkids forever.
You never heard her complain or say a bad word about anyone. She was a Christian in every aspect of her life. She spent her days whistling while she worked, and she was a hard worker. Her smile and laugh will be missed as well as her warm hugs. Her love for God, kindness to others, and enjoyment in making and serving delicious food, will live on in her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter, Dana Massingill of Beaumont, TX; son, James "Jim" Ellis and wife Linda of Lake Charles; six grandchildren, Diana, Amanda, Tina, Les, Susan and Jamie; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Ellis; brother, Keith Hodges Sr; sisters, Novalene Wilson and Joyce Brown; along with her son-in-law, Lester "Les" Laban Massingill Jr.
Services will be held at Hixson-Snider Funeral Home on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 10:00am, with Bishop T.D. Cardwell officiating. Visitation will be at Hixson-Snider Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Thursday, from 8:00am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Ragley.
Services entrusted to Jordan and Amanda Mothershed of Hixson-Snider Funeral Home.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsnider.com.
