Barbara Ann (Miller) Ellis

Barbara Ann Ellis, age 68 of Red Oak, Texas was born May 12th, 1956 in Fort Bragg, NC to Howard E. & Mary Della (St. Clair) Miller. Her father was in the military and they were stationed in Badtolz, Germany for a couple of years. In 1963 they were moved to Columbus, GA to Fort Benning. She graduated a year early in 1973 from Hardaway high school in Columbus, GA. In 1977 she moved to Austin, TX with her best friend Pam Cohn Leon. In 1979 she met Donald Smith Ellis, they were married on January 11th, 1980 and together had three children: Natalie Ellis Klice in 1980, Emily Elizabeth Ellis in 1983 and a very welcome surprise baby Benjamin Smith Ellis, II who was born in 1993. In 2004, Barbara's husband got the opportunity to become the CEO of his family's bank, Firstbank Southwest that was headquartered in Amarillo, TX. He, Barbara and Ben moved to Amarillo, TX. They lived there until his retirement, later moving to Midlothian, TX in 2018 to be close to their four grandchildren who she referred to as "the grands". Her husband sadly passed in November 2022 and later in March of 2024, Barbara moved even closer to her grands in Red Oak, TX. She loved to spend time gardening outside and being in nature. Socially she was the life of the party and never met a stranger. She had many dear friends and loved spending as much time with them as possible. She was outgoing and adventurous, always loving to travel, recently taking a dream trip to Germany. She loved spending time with her grands, the highlight of her life. Barbara will be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Howard E. and Mary Della Miller, her husband Donald Smith Ellis, sister Margaret Miller, nieces: Nikki Lyn Ellis, Courtney Whitten and nephew Matthew Whitten.

She is survived by her three children: Natalie Ellis Klice, Emily Elizabeth Ellis and  Benjamin Smith Ellis, II and wife Alexia; her beloved grandchildren: Avery Lyn Klice, Morgan Ruth Klice, Adelaide Anne Klice and James Ellis Klice; three brothers Howard (Skip) Miller and wife Colleen, J.C. Miller and wife Tara, and J.V. Miller and wife Marcie; sister Teresa Johnson. She was also very close to her niece Jenifer Smith and considered her a daughter. She is survived by many other nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and great-grand-nieces & nephews.

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