She was a graduate of The George Washington University and a career Civil Servant who broke glass ceilings to eventually become the first female, in the nation, to be in charge of Labor Relations at a shipyard, assuming command of the shipyard whenever the Captain was absent. She was active in civic and community-minded organizations in her free time, such as Rotary and Leadership Seacoast, in which she supported local entrepreneurial small business ventures.
Alta, the second child of Alta Ruth Pelling and Edward Seymour Pelling Jr, was born in San Diego, CA. As a Navy child and later, Navy wife, Alta gained her admiration for Asian art and peoples from living in the Philippines and then later, as a young adult, living in Japan. Also, as a young child, Alta met her first U.S. president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when her dad introduced her to him on a visit to the Naval Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut. She would later go on to meet several other presidents in her professional life.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Patricia Pelling; her daughter Claudia D. Ellis (Jordan L. Goodman); her son David E. Ellis (Marcy Clement); nieces Barbara Peterson (Ronald Peterson); Kathleen Guilfoyle (Michael Manter); Kristin Pelling; Kimberly Walsh (Ryan Walsh); Anne Lynn Pierce; Debra Leigh Pierce Howell (Stephen Dwight Howell); and nephew Wayne Scott Pierce (Tina Ma). In addition, Alta is survived by her adoring grandchildren Jake Ellis (Danielle Tevlowitz), Julie Ellis, Olivia Ellis and Staas Ellis; as well as grandnieces and nephew: Sophia, Molly and Liam Walsh.
She will be remembered for her style, courage, strong character, hard work, sharp wit and being the rock and matriarch of her family. Her journey through life will always be an inspiration and guiding light to the loving family and friends she left behind. Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 5th at the Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Rd., Virginia Beach, VA. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.
