Sandra Kay Ellis

Sandra Kay Poe Ellis, 77, of Chatsworth, GA passed away on March 4, 2024, at 4 AM in her home.  She was born on September 18, 1946, in Whitfield County, GA as the youngest child of Lewis J. Poe and Ruby March Turner Rollins Poe. 

She grew up in the Dawnville community and was a 1964 graduate from North Whitfield High School.  She married Douglas Gordon Ellis on May 19, 1966, in Dalton, GA.  Upon high school graduation, she worked for both the City of Dalton and Whitfield County in property appraisal.  This work was interrupted by moves with Doug to US Army assignments in both Michigan and Heidelberg, Germany. Upon return to the States, she continued in property appraisal until she began working in the field of education at Dalton High School in 1986.  She retired in 2000 from Bagley Middle School in Chatsworth.

Sandra loved to travel with Rosie Mosteller and Wanda’s Bus Tours.  She also made several trips to Europe over the years.  Her highlight trip was to Israel in 2012.  In addition to European, Central American, and Caribbean travel, she traveled across the United States and Canada by motorcycle as a member of the D2 Chapter of the Goldwing Road Riders Association - affectionately known as “The Dalton Gang.”

Strong in her faith, she has attended Center Valley Methodist Church in Chatsworth for over 40 years where she served on various committees and was a member of the Methodist Women’s Group.  As a loving spouse, mother, sibling, and friend, she lived her faith every day. 

Sandra also loved crafts and sewing, sharing her love with her daughter and as a member of the Dalton Quilting Guild.  She loved her flowers - always keeping orchids blooming and keeping watch over her many flower varieties in the yard.  She loved gardening, preserving food by canning and freezing, exchanging seeds with friends, and always offering up fresh produce for anyone interested.  She was a member of the Chatsworth Pilot Club, American Legion Auxiliary Post 167, Chattanooga Camping Club, and Cherokee Family Campers in Dalton, Georgia. 

She was preceded in death by grandmothers Ada Mullins and Hulda Payton Poe,  grandfather Homer E. Poe, mother-in-law Bessie Lee Jones Ellis and father-in-law Gordon Lee Ellis. Also preceded in death by sisters Waunita Rollins Young Babb, Marie Poe Brown, Lucille Rollins McCaleb; brothers Robert Rollins and Wayne Rollins; brothers-in-law Dave Anderson, Rev. Ed Babb, Mose Ballew, Rev. Tommy Brown, Lonnie Campbell, Hubert McCaleb, Ralph Talley, J.B. Young and; sisters-in-law Jo Ann Rollins, Delores Rollins, and Leota Ledford Rollins. 

Sandra is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, a daughter Anja Leigh Ellis Comerford (Gordon) of Warrensburg, MO; and a son, Eric Joseph Ellis (Amy) of Chatsworth.  Granddaughter, Kayleigh Elizabeth Comerford and grandson, Korbin Finn Bowie Ellis, sisters Willena Campbell Ballew of Bonifay, FL and Eulene Poe Talley of Dalton, GA, nieces, nephews, and extended family also survive.

Special thanks to the nurses and Dr. Naguib at Tennessee Oncology; Dr. Winton and PA Jessica Neeley at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute; and the nurses and Dr. Pamphile at Hamilton Medical Center, along with the caring personnel at Peeples Cancer Institute.  Also, special thanks to our many friends who offered prayers through this trying time. 

The family will visit with friends on Thursday, March 7th from 5 PM to 8 PM at Shawn Chapman Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be Friday, March 8th at 2 PM in the chapel of Shawn Chapman with pastors Josh Anderson and Frank Cronan officiating. Music will be provided by Toby Westmoreland, Sam Young, and Doug Fraker.  Burial will follow in the Center Valley Cemetery.  The family requests members of the Chatsworth Pilot Club and the Chatsworth Lions Club serve as honorary pallbearers. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or to Center Valley Church ℅ Randall Ingle, 1409 Highway 225 N; Chatsworth, GA 30705.

Arrangements made with integrity by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Chatsworth.

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