Ella Jean (Scarbrough) Smellie

Ella was born in a log cabin in the southern Oklahoma community of Bee on September 22, 1918, to Oscar and Etta Belle Scarbrough. She attended Murray State School of Agriculture in Tishomingo, Oklahoma and received an Associate of Science degree in 1940. After graduation, she moved to Dallas, received additional training, and then worked for three years in the Accounting Department of the Federal Reserve Bank.

While living in Dallas, Ella met Robert Smellie, who was in flight training with the Army Air Corps at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. After several months of courtship, they married on October 30, 1943. Twin sons, Roland and Ralph, were born on September 22, 1944 in Durant, Oklahoma. A third son, Mark, joined the family in Tokyo, Japan on December 27, 1955. With each change of Robert's Air Force duty station, Ella moved with the family whenever possible. She loved to sing and laugh, and was a loving mother and wonderful homemaker.

In 1991, Ella and Robert moved from Iowa City, Iowa to Air Force Village II in San Antonio, Texas. Ella enjoyed volunteer work throughout her life, including 12 years contributing in the Village's Health Care Center.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 70 years Robert, and her son Ralph. She is survived by sons Roland (Marilu) Shellie of Tyler, TX and Mark (Amy) Smellie of Iowa City, IA; granddaughters Karen (Fred) Campos of Bedford, TX and Carolyn and Julia Smellie of Iowa City; grandsons Kevin Shellie of Blacklick, OH and Jordan Smellie of Detroit, MI; and great-grandsons Zachary and Daniel Campos of Bedford; and great-granddaughter Caitlyn Campos of Bedford.

Ella was a member of the Air Force Village Protestant Church.

All are welcome to a memorial service to be held on Monday, March 28 at 10:00 AM in the High Flight Chapel at Blue Skies of Texas - West, 5100 John Ryan Blvd., San Antonio, TX.

The family will hold a private graveside service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ella's memory to the AFVCF Freedom House Research Fund, 5100 John Ryan Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78245. Ella valued the work of this program, which provides memory care to residents of the community and performs important research in the area of Alzheimer's and other dementias.