Glenda Branham Ellis

She left us while sleeping peacefully at her residence in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Born and raised in Columbia, SC, she was a true southern soul.

She held to her southern roots, living in Dallas, TX, Charlotte, NC, and back to the Columbia area. Glenda eventually moved to the Sunshine State to enjoy her golden years with her daughter, Brandi, son-in-law, George, grandson, John Thomas, and grand-pups, Ari and Rylie.

She was well-traveled, loved the Caribbean islands, Great Britain, and Europe but her happy place was anywhere beachfront with a porch - most notably, Myrtle Beach. Glenda was fun-loving and quick-witted, never meeting a stranger. Fittingly, she met her loving late husband Ronald M. Ellis at a dinner party in Columbia, enjoying the good life on Lake Murray, and later moving to Forest Acres up until his passing in 2014.

She was the beloved mother of Brandi Cox Kokos (George) and proud grandmother of John Thomas Foggo, Jr. She was predeceased by her devoted husband Ronald M. Ellis, mother Eula Mae Wilson, step-father Roscoe Wilson, and father Johnnie Branham.

Glenda lived a full life working in Human Resources at Mount Vernon Mills (now The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia), she was an Executive Assistant to the SVP at First Union Bank (now Wells Fargo in uptown Charlotte) and retired in Executive Administration at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina in Columbia.

She loved to cook, was an immaculate hostess, and enjoyed her volunteer work with Meals on Wheels and frequently could be found volunteering in reception at North Trenholm Baptist Church, where she adored her Sunday School class. She enjoyed her monthly outings with the Silk and Purple Ladies Group and was a member of The Shandon Book Club (founded in 1912, the city's second oldest book club).

Most of all she loved her family, sisters Carolyn Grice Glass (Craig) and Katherine Oxley Gary (Darnell), her brother Marion Scott Wilson and her beloved best friend Barney D. Kelly. She leaves behind a legacy of love for her nieces and nephews, the late Pat Corley, Tracey Kelly (Steve), Shawn Grice (Christina), Scotty Wilson, Jonathon Wilson, Hunter Wilson and great-nieces and nephews, Lauren and Emily Kelly, and Luke Grice. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

A celebration of Glenda's life will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St, Columbia, SC on September 11, 2025 beginning at 1:00 pm, followed by Eucharistic Service at Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC. Glenda will lie in repose, for visitation at your leisure at Dunbar Funeral Home, prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Elan Manatee and Tidewell Hospice Caregiver Fund.

Click to learn more: tinyurl.com/glenda-ellis-caregiver-fund