Ellen Lewis Hill

Ellen was born on December 27, 1929 in Bellingham, WA. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ferne Lewis and William Lewis and stepfather Neal Monroe; Aunt Ellen and Uncle Preston Smith; sister Lorna Lewis; and beloved granddaughter Taylor Ellen Smith.

She is survived by her daughters Ellen Barna (Dwight) and Terry Hill Stengel (Marc), granddaughters Mary Elizabeth Stengel Bentley (Clay), Morgan Elen Stengel, Sara Sudekum Stengel and great granddaughters Lily Elizabeth Bentley and Cameron Taylor Bentley, as well as her Godchildren Charles Stephens (Cathleen), Claudia Stephens, Barbara Stephens (Jayne) and Jerry Stephens (Anna).

Ellen grew up in Austin, TX, and attended the U. of Texas University Elementary School on the UT campus. She loved her childhood exploring the UT campus along with her best friend Nancy Stephens. Her mother owned and operated a men’s boarding house along fraternity row. Ellen’s memorable summers were spent on her great uncle’s ranch in Campbell, TX, riding horses, swimming and enjoying the outdoors in the Texas countryside. After graduating from Austin High School, Ellen attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX, where her Uncle Preston taught. There she met her first husband, Gene Hill. They married and moved to Odessa, TX, and started Packer’s Inc. which leased drilling equipment to oil companies in the Permian Basin. Ellen ran the business while raising their two daughters Ellen and Terry.

They parted ways after 13 years of marriage, and Ellen returned to Sul Ross to finish her degree in education. She then struck out to El Paso to pursue her career. There she met Paul Bosenbury and they married and moved to Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, where Paul worked on the Anti-Ballistic Missile system with Western Electric. Ellen thrived on Kwajalein and was in her happiest element teaching young minds from all over the world. She met no strangers and formed many lasting friendships after moving back to the states. Ellen spent time in Jamestown, NC, San Antonio and Austin to be close to her Mother, Ferne Monoe and her Aunt Ellen and Uncle Preston whom she adored. (Coincidentally Ellen passed away on her Aunt Ellen’s birthday.)

After her death, Ellen moved to Nashville to be with her children and grandchildren whom she loved dearly and was immensely proud of. Her favorite time was Christmas when she hosted the family and served her traditional Texas King Ranch enchiladas and tamales.

Ellen spent the last 27 years of her life living in The Crockett Springs community and in The Brookdale Cumberland where she had many close friends. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at The Cumberland, especially Vinny, Jackie, Diane, and Rachel. And a heartfelt thank you to Helen Goodloe for her years of care and friendship.

Visitation was held at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 23 with a service following at 11 a.m. Donations in Ellen’s memory may be made locally to The Nashville Salvation Army (www.SalvationArmy.org), The Nashville Humane Society or a charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Hill family.