Betty Ann Ellison

Posted on March 15, 2023

Mrs. Betty Ann Ellison, 85, passed away March 12, 2023, in Valdosta, Ga.

Mrs. Ellison was born on April 25, 1937, in Live Oak to Clyde and Lena Jenkins Thomas and raised in Suwannee.

After graduating high school, she received her cosmetology certificate.

She married Jesse Willard Ellison Sr. and they had a happy life together with their four children.

In 1964, they bought a farm in Lee which is still in the family.

As a member of the Suwannee Jamboree, she was not only a singer, but also a skit actress.

She was an avid book reader and enjoyed spending some of her time at the Lee Library Book Club.

She was known for helping anybody who needed a ride to the doctor.

She was a member at Midway Baptist Church in Lee, where she taught Sunday school, enjoyed doing anything involving the church, especially doing arts and crafts at vacation bible school.

She loved many different hobbies including crocheting, fishing and cooking.

However, the one thing that made her day was spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends.

Betty Ann was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Jesse Willard Ellison Sr.; and grandson, David Allen Ellison.

She is survived by: her brother, Clyde “Bud” Thomas (Rene) of Petaluma, Calif.; sons, Steve Allen Ellison of Perry, Lee Oliver Ellison (Linda) of Perry and Jesse Willard Ellison Jr. (Regina) of Lee; her daughter, Salena Ellison Box (Steve) of Live Oak; and 12 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Dustin, Anna, Amanda, Valissa, Josh, Robin, Shannon, Jessie, Taylor, Jesse “Will” and Mikey Parker; as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends and family at Beggs Chapel in Madison on Tuesday March 14, from 6-8 p.m.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Beggs Chapel in Madison on Wednesday March 15, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Lee Memorial Cemetery, located in Lee.