Services for Catherine O. Ellis, 75, of Natchez, who died Friday, March 23, 2007, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be noon today at China Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. LeRoy White officiating.

Burial will follow at LaGrange Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ellis was born July 15, 1931, in Adams County, the daughter of Joshua Ellis Sr. and Corinne Dunmore Ellis. She was a 1950 graduate of St. Francis Catholic School and a 1957 graduate of Alcorn State University. She was an educator, having taught in Cleveland. She retired on May 30, 1992 with Winn Louisiana Parish School Sytem. She was well known at Adams County Nursing Center. She was a member of China Grove Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Minerva Ellis, Ruby Ellis Montgomery, and Ella Jackson; brothers, Charles Ellis Sr., Lampkin Calcote and Joshua Ellis Jr.; nephews, Charles “Sonny” Ellis Jr., Willie Henry Jackson, and Antonia Jackson.

Survivors include her godson, Larry Darnell Ellis and wife, Elizabeth, of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Alicia Washington Ellis of Natchez; nieces, Bettye Jean Abrams and husband, Steven, of Seattle, Geraldine Ellis Sewell of Natchez, Rita Hollie and husband, Thad, and Judy Montgomery, all of St. Louis, Mo. and Cynthia Ellis of Ferriday; nephews, Joseph Ellis and wife, Sarah, of Baltimore, Quintin D. Ellis of Natchez, Glenn D. Ellis of Atlanta, Ronnie Montgomery and Tony Montgomery, both of St. Louis and Tavi Carter and wife, Kadishia, of Natchez; a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great nephews, cousins and many friends.

Pallbearers will be Melvin Cooks, John Cooks, Jessie Turner, Albert Chatman, Robert Howell and Alfred Hunter.