Mary Lou Underwood Ellis, age 83, was born February 18, 1941, in Brent (Bibb County), Alabama, to the late Willie Underwood, Sr. and Corean Burt Underwood. She transitioned to her home in heaven on September 3, 2024.
After moving to Fort Payne, she met and married Horace Edward Ellis, who preceded her in death in 2018.
Mary accepted Christ at an early age, loved God, and was fully committed in her faith. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Douglas in Fort Payne where she willingly used her gift of hospitality making bread for the communion services, cooking and serving during dining events.
With her servant’s heart, she was a beloved, loyal and devoted housekeeper for several families in the Fort Payne area.
Mary loved flowers and her favorite past-time was planting and watching them grow; so wherever flowers bloom, their beauty and fragrance will remind us of her beautiful smile and gentle heart.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Ellis; brothers John David Underwood, Sr., Lester Underwood Sr., and Robert Lee Underwood; sister Carrie Underwood; and great-granddaughter Vanessa Underwood.
Mary will be deeply missed by her children: Coleen Swopes, Willie (Annette) Underwood, Elizabeth Ellis, and Jonathan Ellis; siblings Deloris Cutts, Roscoe Sr. (Clara) Underwood, Kenneth (Veronica) Underwood, Trudy (Curtis) Raye, and Willie Jr. (Shirley) Underwood; aunts Helen Davenport and Odie Fielder; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Douglas with burial following in Glenwood Cemetery. Viewing will be from 12 noon until the 1 p.m. hour of service.
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is entrusted with the services.
