Edith Stuart (Keener) Ellis

Edith Stuart Keener Ellis was born on August 25, 1938, to Franklin Thomas and Betty Adams Keener. She was our precious mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sweetest friend who celebrated her arrival in Heaven on April 30th, 2023. Although she had grown weaker, her recent diagnosis of blood cancer was unexpected and we find great solace knowing mom is healed in Glory!

Known for her ease in frequent conversation, some may be surprised to learn of Edie’s shy nature. Though quiet, her childhood memories of summers in Montclair, NJ visiting her fancy “Aunt Edith”, secretly enjoying her little brother's continual pranks, the special relationship with her grandmother “Dubby” and treasured memories of childhood friends were just some of the favorites she often shared. She was very active in the Trinity youth ministry, and regularly babysat for her neighbors, the Reish, Neumeyer, and Infinger’s, who became like family and whose kids inspired her future career in education.

During her college years at Stephen F Austin State, Mom’s shyness transformed into a newfound gift of connecting with people. We still have her 1958 Hallmark Calendar as evidence of her active life on campus with every page full of invitations and involvements. She enjoyed classes, pledged, and grew close to her sorority sisters and dorm friends. As a storyteller, it was fun hearing about her escapades since almost every sentence included a giggle. Of course, our favorite subject was about her meeting our dad, Ruel Lee Ellis, Jr. after he transferred from Texas A&M for a football scholarship at SFA. By the second semester of Junior year, they were in love and married on August 29, 1959. Voted “SFA Cutest Married Couple”, they graduated that December, secured jobs, moved to Houston and right after Christmas break, they were excited to share the news they were expecting. Mom started teaching 3rd grade at Saint Stephen's, but Dad had to take leave from work for a serious operation to repair his aortal valve with groundbreaking surgery by the renowned Dr. Denton Cooley. He recovered well and Melinda Anne was born on September 18, 1960 and over the next 10 years they would welcome their son, Thomas Ruel born December 6th, 1964, and younger daughter, Katherine Francis born, April 27, 1970.

Mom worked on and off in education during their childraising years. She loved teaching and equally appreciated the ability to take some time off to raise us kids. Daddy excelled in his career, moving the family to Illinois, Dallas, and back to the Houston area where they eventually settled in Huffman, Texas enjoying lake life. Dad commuted to work in the city as an executive for a bank holding company, and if Mom wasn’t officially working in Huffman ISD, she was volunteering at our schools or church. We were active members of St. Stephens and our parents helped plant Christ the King Church, closer to home. Mom learned to play worship songs on the guitar and together, they hosted weekly Bible Studies and lots of potluck dinners. The neighbors on our block were dear friends and all of us kids were raised knowing we lived in a special community of families who enjoyed and cared for each other which was especially sweet when in early 1981, Dad faced additional surgeries and related setbacks. Thankfully our parents were grounded in faith, embraced the grace of God, and ultimately received so many blessings. They got to spend almost 25 years together before Ruel entered the Glory of Heaven on June 20, 1984. Mom always said the last three years of their marriage was like a gift that helped her face the future with faith and we know it fostered her heartfelt dedication to servant-hearted leadership and helping others.

That August, Mom went back to work in Huffman ISD. It was a small town and many witnessed the hardships she gallantly faced while walking with Christ and learning from His word. Our family experienced a season of deep grief, but as Mom’s kids, we would grow to learn from her example. Every setback and struggle she faced fostered a special talent within her that she generously shared for the rest of her life. She knew how to comfort others with the comfort she received through her authentic relationship with God. Mom made an impact, winning the trust and hearts of many who even now are being changed by her Gospel-centered, grace-filled witness and signature gift of peace and joy transcending all circumstances that will never be forgotten. People loved her; she would go on to win Teacher of the Year, and to us, it seemed like everyone wanted their kids to be in Mrs. Ellis’s classroom.

By 1989, Edie finished her Masters in Education from SFA, continued coursework at Rice University, and made a change to the Aldine School District. By 2000, Katie was a licensed Occupational Therapist and living in Houston. Later that year, Mom retired, moved, and bought a home in south Austin. She loved her children dearly, but we all know she moved to be closer to her grandkids: Sarah, Anna, Amelia, Ruel, and Emma, all born between 1988-1998. She was visiting churches and settled on The Lakeway Church just after Melinda and her husband Ken moved to Lakeway with their girls. Tom and his wife Jeanne Marie would soon follow, buying their family home just up the street, and we were all excited when Mom decided to sell her South Austin home and move just two doors down from the Massey’s. It was a sweet season in our family with Katie visiting often. In 2002 Katie married Peter Bretherton and blessed Mom with two more grands, Ava Grace in 2006 and Gavin Luke in 2008. Mom traveled to Houston every chance she could and her spunky energy, giggle and the fun, creative activities she came up with made for lasting memories her grandkids will always remember.

Along with loving and serving her family, the people and ministry of The Lakeway Church (TLC) held such a very special place in Mom’s heart. She was an inaugural member of the Stephen Ministry and Stephen Leader for many years as well as a Deacon, facilitator of Grief Share, and several other support ministries. She was on the prayer team, taught Bible Studies, attended her beloved home groups, and was active in VBS and CBS forming deep connections and forever friendships. Mom enjoyed every church activity, social, holiday dinner, special presentation, and/or occasion. When TLC was seeking a new pastor, it was an honor for her to be chosen to be on the Selection Committee. The blessing of getting to know Pastor Larry Coulter and the joy of his accepting the call to become the new head pastor of The Lakeway Church was one of her most cherished experiences.

In 2019 she decided to move to Brookdale Lakeway to start a “new ministry”. Early on, Mom became their unofficial ‘ambassador’, welcoming prospective neighbors, showing them around, visiting, and answering questions. She joined in all the fun weekly excursions, attended exercise, art, Bible study, speaker series classes, and led the weekly current events sessions. Her favorite was inviting everyone to go with her to church and she rarely ever missed a Sunday. Mom looked forward to her kids, grandkids, and friends' visits and she smiled continually, even in her sleep. When Covid shut down her ability to gather, we were so blessed to witness her character shining in ways that most would find impossible. Our mom possessed complete peace and contentment and we never heard her complain. We are so grateful for her life and witness and for how she was known and loved, what a legacy! In her last days, she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. What a blessing it was to pray over her, share stories, and sing her favorite songs (knowing she wouldn’t mind that we were off-key). She was fully at peace and we can only imagine her incredible homecoming! Our hearts hurt for our loss but the glory of her being in the presence of God and reuniting with our dad and so many loved ones is truly more than just a comfort, it is our hope of Heaven!

Edie is survived by her brother: Tom Keener and family; children: Melinda & Ken Massey, Tom & Jeanne Marie Ellis, Katie & Peter Bretherton; Grandchildren: Sarah Massey Behrens & Chad Behrens, Anna Massey Saum & Ryan Saum, Amelia Massey Hiller & Austin Hiller, Ruel Ellis, Emma Ellis, Ava Bretherton & Gavin Bretherton; Great Grandchildren: Elliott, Lucy, Porter & Duncan Saum, as well as other precious extended relatives and dear friends! We would like to share a special thank you to everyone who was a part of Edie's life, especially The Lakeway Church family for all the years Mom got to be a part of such a beautiful community of believers. Edie loved every minute of serving, praying, celebrating, and worshiping the Lord with you all. Thank you also to Brookdale Lakeway for your loving care and kindness as well as to our new friends for the brief time Mom resided at SoCo Village for so compassionately caring for Mom and her family in such an unexpected situation.

Edie’s CELEBRATION of Life will be at THE LAKEWAY CHURCH CHAPEL, on May 21, 2023, at 4 pm, with Larry Coulter & Brent Graham officiating and fyi, Mom would love us to wear ‘happy’ colors! Also please see the Weed Corley Fish Lakeway "Edith Ellis Obituary Page" to share memories of Edie and any florals can be sent to Weed Corley Fish Lakeway who will deliver them to The Lakeway Church chapel for her celebration, since most florists do not deliver on Sunday, Or, should you prefer a charitable gift in Edie's honor, of course, her choice would be donating to The Lakeway Church!