Obituary of Ella B. Chellis

Ella B. Chellis Ella B. Chellis, 89, of Johnson City, died Saturday morning, January 15, at the James G. Johnston Nursing Center, Johnson City. She was born in Tupper Lake, NY and was the daughter of Robert I. Banford and Edith Wallace Banford. She was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Alice Banford Moore and Colleen Banford. She is survived by her husband, Leroy Chellis; five sons, Craig Chellis and his wife, Sherry, of Woodland Park CO, Scott Chellis and his wife, Delores, of Cary, NC, Leroy Chellis, Jr. and partner, Theresa, of Springfield, PA, Robert Chellis and his wife, Terry, of Fairfax, VA and Brett Chellis and his partner, Doug, of Port Crane, NY; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Ella graduated from Tupper Lake High School and attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA, majoring in English. She was active in dramatics, first in college, and then as a member of Auburn Community Players and Susquehanna Players in Endicott. She was a member of the Tuscarora Chapter of the DAR and the University Women of Binghamton. Ella was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Endicott where she was active as the founding member of the Mother's Club. She was a Licensed Lay Reader and chairperson of the Gould Fund Subcommittee for overseas grants. She was instrumental in a $25,000 grant to the island of Bequia in the West Indies, to help build a high school. Subsequently, she and Roy sponsored the U.S. citizenship of a young artist from Bequia, Wren Bynoe, who now resides in Queens, NY and is our 6th son and brother. She was a member of the Endwell Fire Dept Auxiliary, the Endwell Garden Club and the Endwell League of Community Action (LOCA). She enjoyed camping, traveling, genealogy, bridge and supporting the interests of her five sons and husband. The family would like to thank the staff of Wilson Memorial Hospital and the James G. Johnston Nursing Center of Hilltop Campus, United Methodist Homes, for their exceptional care and friendship during Ella's final days with us. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 200 Broad St., Endicott, NY 13760. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The Very Rev. John Martinichio will officiate. The family will receive friends 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church.