Barbara Ann Ellis was born September 27, 1934 in Ada, Oklahoma to Oscar and Catherine Flowers. Over the next few years the family added 2 younger siblings, Earl and Glenda. Barbara spent her early years in Oklahoma. When she was in the 7th grade the family moved to Coalinga, CA to live close to her Aunt Opal, Uncle Virgil, and cousins Twila and Deloris. Her father died when she was a young teenager and she took on a lot of responsibility for her younger siblings. Glenda described Barbara as beautiful with gorgeous blue, blue eyes, but also as her “bonus mom”. In high school she was a straight A student and worked at the library and movie theater.
When Barbara was a Senior in high school she married the love of her life Jim Ellis before he was deployed to Korea. In 1953 their first child Ronald Earl was born, followed in 1955 by their second child, Barbara Wanell. The young family moved to Hanford in 1956 where many of the Ellis family lived. Along with being a wife and mother Barbara worked as a bookkeeper. She continued her education and graduated from Fresno State with an Accounting degree. She sat for the Certified Public Accountant exam and passed it on the first try (which is extremely rare). She worked as a CPA while continuing her education, and earned a Master in Business Administration from Fresno State. Barbara then became the highest ranking civilian at Naval Air Station, Lemoore as the Comptroller. She left her position at the base to work alongside her husband in their locksmith shop, Ellis Lock and Safe. Jim and Barbara decided to semi-retire to Pismo where she worked for the County of San Luis Obispo for several years.
She had an amazing career, but her true joy in life was her family. In 1975 her daughter Wanell had Barbara’s first grandchild Nicole, followed by Aaron in 1978 and Jamie in 1981. In 1990 Ronnie’s child Charlotte was born. Barbara was a hands-on grandma and was very helpful. She did school pick up and drop off and kids were always welcome at the shop. She had so much fun with her grandchildren, from swimming in the pool in the backyard, to taking trips, to playing on the beach in Pismo. When Jim obtained his pilot's license and had a small plane, they took their grandkids on several short trips and even took Nicole cross country. Barbara decided to take flying lessons (including soloing the plane) in order to land safely in the event of an emergency, to keep those precious grandkids safe. She was lucky enough to enjoy her great grandchildren Mae, Sarah, Andie, Chloe, Paige, Sydney and Cooper.
In her final years Jim and Barbara moved to Clovis to be closer to family. On December 30, 2021 they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. She was under the care of hospice for the last few months, and on January 10, 2022 Barbara passed away in her home with her husband and daughter by her side.
Barbara is survived by her spouse, Jim Ronald Ellis; her son Ronald Ellis; and her daughter Barbara Wanell Sause (Jim); her sister Glenda Colbert (J.D.); her granddaughter Nicole von Berg (Brett), her grandson Aaron Sause, her granddaughter Jamie Shepherd (Kevin) and her granddaughter Charlotte Ellis. Barbara is also survived by 7 great grandchildren, Mae, Sarah, Chloe, Andie, Paige, Sydney, and Cooper.
Barbara was preceded in death by her father Oscar Flowers and her mother Catherine Smith; her brother Earl Flowers.
A Graveside Service for Barbara will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Hanford Cemetery, 10500 S 10th Ave, Hanford, California 93230.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com for the Ellis family.
