Bernice Popick Ellzey

Bernice “BJ” Faye Ellzey, 88, was welcomed into God’s eternal glory on January 1, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. She was born July 11, 1932 in Dallas, Texas to Don and Margie Martin. Her family lived in Arlington, Texas until she was 9 and they moved to west Texas. From early in life BJ had a great love for the Lord. She was always very active in church activities and gave her life to Christ at age 13.

She graduated from Lorenzo High School in 1949 and went on to attend Texas Tech University. BJ married Bobby Jack Blankenship in 1950 and had 4 children. Singing was her passion in her younger years whether in church, weddings, theatre productions or with bands all over the Lubbock area. BJ had a love for traveling and traveled widely in her lifetime including a 10 day trip to Hong Kong, which she talked about often.

In October 1994, BJ married the true love of her life, Tex Ellzey. Her love for travel inspired her to travel around the United States participating in the sale of high-end home furnishings as a way to spend time with her beloved Tex. She loved the game of bridge and played in a bridge club until her passing.

Her interests included traveling, playing bridge, family, reading her devotional and Livingston Chardonnay.

In her later years she devoted much of her time to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She cared so very deeply for her family and her many friends.

She was an exceptional mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother.

BJ was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and love of her life, Tex Ellzey; her brother, Donald R. Martin; two sisters, Diane Scott and Lynn Hammack; two sons, Brett and Brandon; daughter in law, Elia; granddaughter, Bailey; grandson, Brett.

BJ will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Patricia Morton and husband, Jim; son, Barry and wife Elizabeth; daughter, Benet and husband Craig; daughter-in-law, Jeana, 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren and many very dear girl friends who were like sisters.