Lyndal Iris Duckworth Ellison

Posted on December 4, 2019

Our mother, Lyndal Iris Duckworth Ellison, 90, passed from this life on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.  Her memorial service will be December 8, 2019, at Burns Funeral Home.  Visitation with the family will be at 2 p.m. with the memorial service at 3 p.m.

Lyndal was born in Mayo, Florida, on February 23, 1929, and moved to Perry during her childhood.  She attended Taylor County Schools and lettered in basketball and softball while in high school and worked briefly as a telephone operator for Cox Telephone before she graduated. Mom loved learning and graduated with honors in 1948.

She married Robert Lee Ellison on November 13, 1948, and began a lifetime of service as a wife, a mother and a wonderful guiding hand as a 4-H leader to dozens of kids for over twenty years.  She was involved with the local home extension service and Farm Bureau, serving as one of the first women members of the Farm Bureau Council. Lyndal was a member of the Spring Warrior Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday school for several years, kept historical records for the church and lived as a faithful Christian until her death. 

Lyndal was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Paul Henry Duckworth and Ada Mae Revels Duckworth, her sister Eloise Duckworth Smith, and her son-in-law Jeffrey Lynn McInnis.  

Lyndal is survived by her daughter, Iris Ellison McInnis and her son, Robert Lee Ellison Jr; her grandshildren, Logan McInnis and wife Gloriann of Crawfordville; Regan McInnis Gross and husband Andy of Chiba, Japan; Kera Ellison and Gainan Ellison of Perry; seven great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces.

Our mom was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She raised her children, and later in her life, helped raise her grandchildren. 

Lyndal loved being a grandmother and taught her grandchildren many lessons, about life and how to live it as a good person.  Game night at Granny’s house became an important part of life for her kids and grandchildren.  Playing Aggravation and Phase 10 with her was a special time for all of us and beating her at Rummy was just about impossible. 

Mom reached out to many of her friends and relatives, cooking meals and desserts and entertaining them at her house.  She always made people feel at home at her house and was happiest if she could offer someone food and good conversation.  Mom enjoyed fishing and hunting with her husband and kids, gardening, reading and traveling.  She really liked watching old westerns on television and cheering on her favorite football team, FSU. 

Our mother will be missed so very much in our lives, but she lived her life as a Christian before us.  She set a wonderful example for all who knew her, and we look forward to that great day when we will be united with her again in Heaven.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association would be much appreciated.