Ella Mae Hendrix, age 94, long time Columbia resident, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, at her residence following an extended illness.
Ella Mae was born March 25, 1926 in Cedar Grove in Giles County, the daughter of the late William James Riggins and Sarah Ethel Terrell Riggins.
When Ella Mae met her future husband, Clyde, it was love at first sight for both of them during his leave from the Navy during WW II and theirs was a love story for the ages. During their years together, they took numerous children into their home and helped to raise them. With Clyde on the banjo and Ella Mae with her guitar, they played and sang with numerous Country-Western bands.
Ella Mae worked in retail management with Coit International for a number of years. She studied commercial art in Cleveland, OH, and enjoyed drawing. She loved flower gardening and travel, having traveled to many States. Ella Mae was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Survivors include her children, Janet Hendrix of Columbia and Jimmy Wayne Hendrix of Jackson; three granddaughters, Angel of White House, Jamie and Charity, both of Ardmore, AL and one great-grandson, Michael Williams of White House. In addition to her husband and parents, Ella Mae was preceded in death by her siblings, Jimmie Lee Aday, Loyd Riggins, Freeman Riggins, Leon Riggins and William Riggins.
In accordance with her wishes, the family will celebrate Ella Mae’s life privately and ask that memorial donations be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The family wishes to acknowledge all of Ella Mae’s doctors and caregivers for their care for her.
