Willie Ellis Obituary

Willie Mae "Billie" Graham Ellis SUMMERVILLE - Billie Ellis passed away peacefully on Monday, July 24, 2017. Billie was born in McRae, GA, on May 15, 1927, to Henry Wooten Graham and Pearl Pullen Graham. She graduated from McRae-Helena High School in June 1944. Billie entered the University of Georgia in September 1944 at the age of 16. She was the first high school graduate to be accepted into the University's new nurses' education program. She graduated from UGA in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education. Upon graduation, Billie was asked to stay and become an instructor in the program, but instead she followed her heart and married Charlton W. Ellis in June 1950. The new family moved several times before settling in her beloved Summerville. During those moves, Billie taught medical-surgical nursing at University Hospital Augusta, Spartanburg General School of Nursing, and Camden Hospital School of Nursing. In 1960, Billie joined the faculty at Medical University of South Carolina, where she would remain for the next 24 years. During her career there, she taught Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing of Children, Independent Study, Current Issues, Human Relations, Leadership, and practicums. In addition to her teaching duties Billie was active in a number of professional societies; she was a member of the American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, and South Carolina State Nurses Association. She also served as chair of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee from 1973-1983. She retired in June 1984. In retirement Billie participated in several clubs and achieved a lifelong goal of learning to play bridge. She also indulged in reading fiction while keeping up with medicine by subscribing to several medical newsletters. Her home in Summerville and her beach house at Edisto continued to be open to friends and family and were often full of both due to her warmth and hospitality. Her greatest joy came in the form of her two granddaughters, and she spent countless hours with them. She will be remembered for her quick wit, loyalty, and fierce determination. Her sweet spirit was a hallmark of her personality at every stage of her life, consistently bringing joy to her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Charlton W. Ellis of Summerville, her daughter Lisa (Phil) Waddell of Lexington, SC, granddaughters Andi Waddell and Sara Liz Crouse (McLain Hubbard), and son-in-law Larry Crouse. She is predeceased by her beloved daughter, Carol Ellis Crouse. There will be a memorial service at the Chapel at the Village at Summerville at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 28, 2017. Visitation will follow in the Creative Arts Center. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Alzheimer's Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or the Resident's Endowment Fund at the Village at Summerville. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston