Obituary of Ellen Stoudemire

On the first day of spring, Ellen Esther Stoudemire, 74, of Summerville, SC, passed away after a heroic struggle with several health issues. Although she will be greatly missed by her family and friends, Ellen will be remembered as an avid lover of jigsaw puzzles, an accomplished cook, and a dedicated antique collector, who enjoyed traveling the world. On Wednesday, March 25 at 4 p.m. there will be a graveside service, in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209, to celebrate her life and remember with gratitude our beloved Ellen. Born January 20, 1941 and named after both of her grandmothers, she was the eldest daughter of George Woodrow and Ruby Marsh Stoudemire. Ellen was the first grandchild of former Columbia Fire Chief A. Mc Marsh and was the apple of his eye. When she accidently plowed through his prized flower garden while learning to drive, he didn't bat an eye and laughed it off; anyone else would have been banished for life. Ellen graduated from Dreher High School and later graduated with honors from Newberry College. Early in her career, Ellen was an administrator at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. An avid beachcomber, she loved her years there, but in time returned home to South Carolina. She was destined to relocate to Summerville and to begin what became a long and fruitful association as an accountant for the firm of Taylor, Miles and Associates. It was Ellen's good fortune to be part of such a caring and dedicated group of colleagues; they in time became her second family. Her own family would now like to publicly acknowledge and warmly thank Mike Taylor for being the best boss she could ever have had. Also, to express each family member's appreciation to his staff for their support while Ellen valiantly fought a number of serious health issues which in the end she could not overcome. Left behind to cherish so many fond memories are her brothers, George and Thom Stoudemire, and Thom's wife, Janice; beloved nieces and nephews, George W. (Trey) Stoudemire, III and his wife, Phillis; Amy Stoudemire; Erin Stoudemire Whitehead and her husband Brian; Jessica-Anne Stoudemire and Ryan Marsh Stoudemire; cousin, Nancy Peacock and her husband, Bobby. And of course, her Summerville "Girls": Patsy Kornahrens, Julie Strawn, and Judie Militzer. To her family, she will forever be the leader of the pack¬—always up for a party. Her sage advice and loving ways will be forever entrenched in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, or for those who wish to honor her memory, contributions may be made to either of the two charities which were close to Ellen's heart, the Carolina Children's Home, 3201 Trenholm Rd., Columbia, SC and the Epworth Children's Home, 2900 Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC. Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park is assisting the family.