Ellen Lucille Steele passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the age of 95 surrounded by members of her family. Ellen was born in Hartford, Arkansas to Grover and Lucille (Reed) Davis on May 29, 1923. She was baptized at Hartford Methodist Church and graduated from Hartford High School in 1941. Having been friends since they were in school, Ellen married Virgle Eugene Steele at Wee Kirk o’ the Heather Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 2nd, 1944. Ellen and Virgle were married for over 50 years, making their home across America and the world while stationed at numerous Air Force bases. Following retirement, Ellen and Virgle moved to Oklahoma, and later Pensacola, Florida, where they lived for 27 years. Following Virgle’s passing, Ellen lived in Brevard, North Carolina for 12 years, and most recently, at Sunrise Senior Living in Atlanta, Georgia.
The majority of Ellen’s life was simply spent in the role of a dedicated wife and loving mother to all of her children. As Mary Poppins would say, these are a few of Ellen’s favorite things: cooking extravagant holiday meals and deserts for her children and grandchildren; Entertaining family and friends with her gift of hospitality; decorating her home and entrance for each holiday; collecting antiques; dressing fancy, no matter what the occasion; drinking black coffee in the morning and dry red wine in the evening; raking leaves and maintaining the best yard on the block; feeding hummingbirds outside her house; looking at clouds and imagining the shapes to be something she enjoyed; patting a dog’s head; keeping in touch with her children, grandchildren, extended family, classmates, and neighbors, in person and by phone. On any given day, Ellen enjoyed dressing up fancy, putting on make-up, and styling her hair as if she was going out for a night on the town. One of many attributes was that she was famous for was her love of high heels; even into her 90s, one could count on her wearing high heels every day. Most importantly, Ellen was loved for the kindness, generosity, and friendship she bestowed upon others.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Grover and Lucille (Reed) Davis, her husband, Virgle Eugene Steele, their daughter, Kathryn Jeanette Steele and son Roger Lee Steele. She is survived by her son, Byron E. Steele and wife, Marilyn; her daughter Margaret (Peggy) S. Taylor and husband, Adrain; grandchildren, Justin L. Steele and wife, Jennifer of Dallas, Texas, Kathryn E. Steele of Dallas, Texas, Barclay R. Taylor and wife, Danielle of Atlanta, Georgia and Chilton G. Taylor and Chip Teague of Opelika, Alabama; her five great-grandchildren, Harper Steele, Barclay “Reed” Taylor, Jr., Cooper Teague, Charlie Teague and Claire Teague. Ellen is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Steele McCrea of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Steele of Beaufort, South Carolina and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 12 p.m., Monday, April 1 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Hartford Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a local hospice care organization, church, or charity in Ellen’s memory.
