FANNIE ELLISON

On November 14, 2020, Fannie Mae Ellison transitioned from earthly to eternal life at the age of 94. Fannie was born in Gonzales, Texas on September 2, 1926 to Jeffery and Octavine (Morris) Freeman. She was the name sake of her grandmother Fannie Morris from whom she learned to cook beginning at age 7. She was the fourth of six sisters. Four of the sisters (Sarlene Willis, Jeffery M. Johnson, Jewel Thomas, and Doris Dean Freeman) preceded Fannie in death. Her early education was in Gonzales prior to attending Roswell High School in Luling, Texas.

At a young age she accepted Christ and was a member of Hoods Point Methodist Church in Gonzales. Fannie learned to play the piano and served as musician for Hoods Point for several years before she moved to San Antonio, Texas. After she married, she united with her husband as a member of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church. In 1959, along with her husband and children, she joined Trinity Missionary Baptist Church and was a faithful servant until her death. She was a member of Trinity's Women Missionary auxiliary, and one of Trinity's Prayer Vigil warriors for the past 42 years. She was active in the Goodwill City-Wide Missionary Council. She was a member of the S.A. Area Ushers/Nurses/Greeters State Congress of Christian Workers and was a door keeper in the house of the Lord for over 54 years. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for American Legion Post #800.

Fannie had two passions, cooking and the San Antonio Spurs. Family knew not to bother her when she was watching a Spurs game or when she was cooking. She graciously shared the fruits of her labor because she always cooked enough to share with anyone who just might happen to come by at any time. The saying at the Ellison house was "You can always get something to eat if nothing else." Her passion for cooking led to occupations as a cafeteria cook at Jeff Davis Middle School and domestic cook for Lois Oppenheimer for over 20 years. Her husband always teased her sisters by saying to them "I got the best cook."

She was married to Herbert L. Ellison, Sr. for 64 years. Her husband and two of their four children, Herbert, Jr. and Marva preceded her in death.

Those left to cherish her memory are daughters, Paulette Ellison, and Iris (Kenneth; deceased) Holman; grandchildren Alonzo (Deandra) Ellison, William (Rebecca) McRinna, Stephanie (Sed rick) Holman, and Bradley Holman; great-grandchildren lIIyasah Ellison, Attallah Ellison, Qayyimah Ellison, Aaron White, Elijah McRinna and Savyon Graves; great-great-grandson Luke Deion; sister Johnnie L Brown; sister-in-law Gwendolyn Washington; brother-in-law John (Patsy) Ellison; nieces Connie (Louis) Hudspeth, Eunice Cunningham; nephews Neal Ray, Theodore Hunter, Michael McKnight, James (Priscilla) Ellison, Lawrence (Alma) Freeman; god-daughter Sherice Williams; cousins Eddie Morris, Bertha Wallace; numerous other relatives, friends, and those dear to her to whom she was "Mom".