Sara “Sally” Grigsby Ellis passed away in Renton, Washington on April 5, at the age of 89. Sally is survived by her three children, Ben Ellis, Jr. of Cashmere, Washington; Mark Ellis of Renton; and Saralyn Stroup of Renton; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Ellis, Sr.
Sally was born on May 6, 1928 in Whitesburg, Tennessee to Robert Ralph Grigsby, Sr. and Margaret Gray Grigsby. She graduated from Morristown High School, and went to East Tennessee State College, where she graduated in 1949 with a degree in Education. She married Ben Ellis on August 27, 1949. They made their first home in North Carolina. Ben took a job with a new company, IBM, and they transferred to many different locations over the next 17 years. In 1970, Ben and Sally moved to the Seattle area. They both remained in love with the Pacific Northwest for the rest of their lives.
Sally was an active member at Rose Hill Presbyterian Church for nearly 50 years. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served on session there. Sally taught math at Chinook Middle School for 20 years. When she retired from teaching, in 1996, she taught at West Nairobi School in Kenya for a year. She was a member of the ADK teaching sorority. She held a Masters degree in Education from Western Washington University. She was an active Girl Scout leader, and was the director of a community camp in the late 1970s. Her Girl Scout camp name was Hummingbird.
She loved to hike and hiked all over the state. She was an avid and skilled bridge player, and continued to play bridge with friends throughout her life.
A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, April 12 at 4 p.m. at Rose Hill Church in Kirkland, with a reception in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sally’s life. Flowers may be sent to Rose Hill Church. Sally will be laid to rest beside her husband at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Bellevue. Please sign Sally’s guest book at www.legacy.com.
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