Sue Ellis Obituary

Sue Perry Ellis

August 2, 1942 -

January 30, 2025

Sue Perry Ellis, 82, of White House, passed away at The Blake Assisted Living in Kingsport, Tennessee after an extended illness. She was born August 2, 1942 in Robertson County, Tennessee to the late Roy and Frances Dowlen Perry.

Prior to moving to Kingsport to be near her daughter, Sue was an active member of Northridge Church in White House, Tennessee where she taught an adult ladies study group and played the role of "Mrs. Santa" at Christmas activities. She also served in various leadership positions on the Board of Kensington Green Condominium Members Association.

For thirty-one years she was an educator in the Robertson County School System. She was a kindergarten teacher at White House Elementary for twenty-eight years and served as lead teacher for fifteen years. Later, she taught first grade at Krisle Elementary.

For twenty-two years, Sue served as the teachers' insurance representative to the Board of Education and also a member of the Robertson County Education Association Negotiation Team. For two years she was chief negotiator and represented the county teachers at state and national conferences. Student and teacher welfare was one of her major concerns and passions since her mother had taught and been a principal in the Robertson County School System for over thirty years, and her father had been a County Commissioner actively involved in educational improvements.

During her teaching career, she was named an Outstanding Educator by the World Book Corporation and White House Teacher of the Year. She also maintained a license in insurance.

Sue graduated from Springfield High School where she had been active in chorus and band. She served as district FHA President and won Vol State, All State, and Danforth Awards in 4-H club. She was a summer camp counselor for both organizations.

Later, she attended Austin Peay State University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and was elected to membership in Kappa Delta Pi. She later received a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision summa cum laude. Further graduate work was completed at Western Kentucky University graduating summa cum laude there also. Her love of learning, reading, teaching, and writing was known by many of her colleagues, students, and their parents.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of seventeen years, Robert Lee Long in 2006 and Wayne Ellis, the father of her children.

She is survived by sons William Perry Ellis and wife Jane of Worchester, Massachusetts; Benjamin Wayne Ellis and wife Tabetha of Orlinda, Tennessee; and daughter Dr. Page Ellis Mayo and husband Ed Ginty of Kingsport, Tennessee. Grandchildren Eden Ellis King and Kassie King, Jacob Mayo, Laura Ellis, and Alexis Mayo. Step-grandchildren Ryan Ginty and Jillian Ginty.

Visitation will be held at Austin and Bell Funeral Home in White House, Tennessee on Thursday, February 6, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Friday, February 7, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at Springfield Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the staff and administration of The Blake at Kingsport. She considered so many at The Blake her second family and truly loved all who cared for her...she was always grateful and often expressed her love for each who came into her apartment. Many thanks to Suncrest Hospice who made her final days a gift of love and peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in her memory to Robert F. Woodall Elementary Library in care of Jamie Marvin, 300 Eden Way, White House, Tennessee 37188.

ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO AUSTIN & BELL 533 HIGHWAY 76 WHITE HOUSE, TN 37188 (615)672-5000 www.austinandbell.com