Ellen Byrd Deakins Hastie

Ellen Byrd Deakins Hastie Johnson City. Ellen Byrd Deakins Hastie (78) passed away peacefully at home in the company of her children on Saturday, September 9. She was born in Johnson City on July 9, 1939, and was the only child of the late Theodore ?Ted' E. and Gertrude Byrd Deakins. She was raised in Johnson City and graduated from Science Hill High School in 1957. Following high school, Ellen attended Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia, from which she graduated in 1961. Between her junior and senior years at Hollins, she worked in Washington D.C. where she met Lieutenant Robert Keith Hastie (U.S. Navy) on a blind date. In August 1962, they were married in Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City. Together they raised two children, Robert Keith, II and Hilary Byrd, and lived variously in Annapolis, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Norwich, Vermont; Johnson City; Jacksonville, Florida; and Annandale, Virginia. In 1988, her marriage ended and in 1997, Ellen moved back to Johnson City to be near family and life-long friends. Ellen was a successful realtor in Northern Virginia and later worked as a paralegal and then in property management. Throughout her life, her friendly and outgoing personality allowed her to develop close friendships wherever she went. She was an avid reader, learner, and fan of the quiz show Jeopardy. She enjoyed travel and was fortunate enough to have visited many European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and much of the U.S. She was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church and the Monday Club, and was a long-time supporter of the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. Until her health declined in mid-summer, she very much enjoyed hosting parties at her home and gathering with friends to play bridge, dine out, and attend social events. Ellen is remembered for her compassion, sense of fairness, wry wit, and love of animals, especially dogs. She is survived by her son Robert Keith, II and daughter-in-law Kyla J. Hastie of Amherst, Massachusetts, and daughter Hilary Byrd and son-in-law Matthew D. Hanley of Midlothian, Virginia, and beloved grandchildren Emma Elizabeth Hastie, Sara Kathryn Hastie, Braeden Charles Hanley, and Abigail Byrd Hanley. She is also survived by cousins Dalles Andria Bartley, George and Suzy Byrd, Ella Deakins, Betty Neeley, and Ernestine Renfro. Ellen considered her life-long friends Alice Torbett and the extended Jones Family, and Charles and Leslie Ray, as her ?second family.' She also leaves many other cherished friends in Johnson City and locations far and wide. Ed and Calvert Williams, Paul David Walker, and Cecil and Sandy Green were especially supportive during Ellen?s final months. The family would like to thank Cindy Northern of Bristol, Tennessee, Louise Green of Johnson City, and the staff at Amedisys Hospice for the quality care they provided and for their kindness and compassion during Ellen?s final weeks. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Maple Room at Morris-Baker Funeral Home on Friday, September 15, 2017. A private graveside committal service will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017, at Monte Vista Memorial Park followed by a gathering of close family and friends at Ellen?s residence from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to the Dawn of Hope Foundation or the Tipton-Haynes Historical Association.