Memorial

Beverly Marie Ellis, 92, of Cedar Rapids passed away April 6, 2023, at Emery Place in Robins, IA with family by her side. Visitation: 4-7 PM, Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, April 14, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Beverly Marie Ellis, under the video tab starting at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 14, 2023. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Beverly was born May 6, 1930, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Henry Lee and Mattie Eula (Lawrence) Smith. Growing up she lived in Los Angeles, CA, Tennessee, and Dallas, TX. While working at the gift wrap counter at A. Harris Company in Dallas, TX, she met William “Bill” Ellis. Following a short courtship, they were united in marriage on March 6, 1954, at Forest Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas.  From their union five children were born. Bill’s career with Collins Radio Company led to the family’s move to Cedar Rapids in the fall of 1959. 

Beverly was a stay-at-home mom to her four sons. She was the home-room mother for her sons as they attended Eisenhower Elementary School. Yearly road trips to Dallas to visit family became a summer tradition. As the family grew, Beverly attended many sporting events to watch her boys compete. Later, she enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities as well. Beverly and Bill enjoyed Friday night dinner outings with their close friends, John and Edie McDonough. She liked to go bowling and enjoyed cats. In addition, Beverly enjoyed going on walks with friends and shopping at Younkers. She volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital for 27 years in the flower, coffee, and cookie shops. In 2006, she was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. 

Left to cherish her memory are her three sons: Bill Ellis Jr. of Marion; Bruce Ellis (Marlee) of Hiawatha; and Ben Ellis (Rhonda), of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law Maria Ellis of Kansas City, MO; nine grandchildren, Jillian, Ashley, Eric, John, Lily, Emily, Quinton, Crew, and Ramsay; three great-grandchildren, Sabit, Ryen, and Ryden. and many nieces and nephews.

Those who passed before her were her parents; husband, daughter Patricia Lee Ellis; son Bob Ellis, and brothers Henry Clayton and Earl Lawrence Smith, and sister Lillie Mae Mullins.

Memorials in Beverly’s name may be made to St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Emery Place for the tender loving care given to Beverly for the last 5 years.