Maggie M. (Parker) Ellis, daughter of the late Myrlie R. Parker and Ressie (Parrish) Parker, was born October 8, 1918 in the Lamar, Missouri area. She passed to a better place at 12:45 a.m. on April 19. 2009, while at Primrose Place in Springfield, Missouri. Maggie was a hard working and devoted person. Her adult life began at age 13 after her mother passed away from a sudden illness. She was left to raise two younger sisters. Maggie graduated from Greenfield (MO) High School in 1937. She was united in marriage to John R. Ellis on July 30, 1938. One child, Benny, was born in 1941. Maggie lived alone in widowhood 42 years when this loving union terminated with John's death in May, 1967, after almost 29 years of farm life near Arcola, MO. The first 14 years of this resourceful lady's solitude found her working as the office manager of the Stockton (MO) Veterinary and Animal Clinic. This was after she taught herself how to type and pass the driver's test. She had also sold the farm and moved to Stockton within the first year. The final 28 years of Maggie's life, she resided in Springfield, MO to be closer to her family. This energetic small lady was able to care for her household, including the large lawn, taking long walks, and doing volunteer work for her church from 1981 to 2003. She was a devoted Christian. Church was a weekly, and many times daily, force in Maggie's life. She was a member of the Arcola (MO) Christian Church from 1940 to 1981. Membership for her remaining years was at National Avenue Christian Church (NACC) in Springfield where she became a life honorary deacon. Each Sunday would find her in worship service and at her Sunday school class. During the week she was the laundress, corresponding secretary for the Christian Women's Fellowship, and a key in the kitchen for church dinners. Maggie is survived by her son, Benny, and his wife Beverly; two grandchildren, Robert and Kristen; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Bobbie Curtis and one half sister, Sarah Francis. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred, and an infant brother. Maggie was sustained in her later years with caring individuals and grateful memories. The current staff at NACC of Rev. Dr. Herb Knudsen, Rev. Hubert Lines, and Kathleen Tepiew were supportive to her. She was grateful for those who administered communion each Sunday to her. She constantly expressed her love and gratefulness for her immediate family. She continually talked of the Church's "kitchen crew". Maggie cherished the memories experienced with the Christian Women's Fellowship of which she was an active supporter and participant. In summary, the church was her life. Visitation will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 in the National Avenue Christian Church parlor. This will immediately be followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. Cremated remains will be interred next to her deceased husband in Omer Cemetery near South HY 39, Stockton, MO at a later unspecified time. Services are under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. The extended family is grateful for the care, concern, and comfort administered by Dr. William Moore, staff at Primrose Place, Community Hospice of America, church friends, in-laws, and other close special friends. Maggie requested that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made to NACC's Christian Women's Fellowship or the Outreach Foundation, 1515 South National, Springfield, MO 65804.