ELLEN GRACE BRAME GARVIN
Aug. 20, 1954-May 16, 2016
Ellen Grace Brame Garvin died May 16, 2016, at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Va.
Ellen was born Aug. 20, 1954, in Wilson, N.C., the daughter of Lena and Clarence Anderson “C.A.” Brame.
Her husband, William “Bill” Garvin, resides in Hopewell, Va.
She was preceded in death by her father in 1957 and her stepfather, Franklin R. Smith of Goldsboro, N.C., in 2008.
Ellen’s mother, Lena Pittman Smith, resides at the Fountains of Albemarle in Tarboro, N.C.
In addition to her mother, Ellen leaves her brother, David; nephew, Trey Smith of Newport, N.C.; aunt and uncle, Jeanette and Grady Pittman of Rocky Mount; cousins, Alison Frederick and Leonard Pittman and their families; as well as many members of the Brame, Edwards, Pittman and Smith families.
Ellen and Bill met as students at North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount. They married in July 1976, and had lived in Hopewell, Va.
Ellen attended public schools in North Carolina, graduating from Goldsboro High School and later from North Carolina Wesleyan College with a degree in elementary education.
She taught in private nursery and kindergarten programs and also in the preschool programs at First United Methodist Church of Hopewell.
She had a special talent for creating art, puzzles, games and crafts for her children and for her church bazaars.
Ellen collected dolls, a love that she gained from her mother. Her collection consisted of more than 200 dolls of every kind.
Possessing a strong faith and a positive outlook, she was accepting of any life event that came her way. She reflected attention to others, refusing to focus on herself. Her sweet smile and sparkling eyes brightened the days of family and friends. Her love for Bill and her family was unfailing.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 25, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Hopewell, with the Rev. Christopher Andress officiating.
The family is being served by J.T. Morriss and Son Hopewell Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Hopewell, P.O. Box 636, Hopewell, Va., 23860.
Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 22, 2016 11:20 AM