Merle Ellis

Merle McCracken Ellis, 87, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away Monday, July 11, 2011 at Appalachian Christian Village. She was born in Telford, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Lillie Bailey McCracken and Hugh Foy McCracken. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, W. A. McCracken, and a sister, Martha McCracken Archer. She was a member of Hopwood Christian Church, where she was active for many years. She was the valedictorian of the Washington College class of 1942, and also attended Milligan College. As the wife of an officer in the U.S. Air Force, she traveled widely throughout the United States and lived in Washington D.C., Tokyo, Japan, and the territory of Alaska before it became a state. Her family was the focus of her life, and she instilled in her children the value of education and an interest in other cultures. She worked for many years in Johnson City, both at Standard Forms Company and at Sabre Printers. She is survived by a brother, Harold McCracken, and his wife, Peggy, of Johnson City; a daughter, Elaine Larson and her husband, Pete, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; two sons, Dr. Michael Ellis and his wife, Gay, of Springfield, Missouri, and Dr. Mark Ellis and his wife, Patsy, of Johnson City; five grandchildren: Will Ellis, Johnson City; Catherine Ellis, Springfield, Missouri; Jennifer Ellis Williams & family, Manchester, England; Matt Christie and family, Springfield Missouri; Ian Christie & family, Vancouver, British Columbia; and two great-grandchildren: Hannah Williams, Manchester, England; and Otis Christie, Vancouver, B.C. Services will be held at Morris-Baker Funeral Home on Saturday, July 16. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 pm. The service will be conducted by the Reverend Tim Ross of Hopwood Christian Church.