Ellen moved to Kansas City, MO. as a young woman. It was in Kansas City that she raised her son Robert, worked, and lived for the rest of her life. She retired from Research Medical Center. She was married to Sam Sampson and later to Otis Ray who preceded her in death.
Ellen was a friendly, outgoing person who loved her family and friends. She stayed in close contact with her many family members and friends. Her personal telephone book was always close at hand.
Her gift was giving to others, whether it was clothes, food, or advice. She was a giver all of her life and found joy in helping others and others found joy by being in her presence.
Ellen enjoyed travelling to see family. Her travels included Alaska, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C, Alabama, California, Georgia, Texas among others, and overseas to Tokyo, Japan.
Ellen enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking and watching wrestling on TV. She also enjoyed being fashionably dressed and always looked “well put together”.
Ellen was a devoted and active member of Morning Start Missionary Baptist Church. She was a proud member of the Mother Board and regularly attended Sunday School. She continued to reach out to Pastor Miles and other members even as her health began to fail.
Ellen departed this life peacefully with her family nearby on January 21, 2023 at the age of 93. She is dearly missed by her family and friends.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Robert (Bernadette) Murray, Kansas City, MO., granddaughters, Camille Kent, Bolingbrook, IL., Sharon (Kenneth) Edel, Lebanon, TN., great granddaughters, Danielle Kent, Rome, Italy and Julianna Edel, special niece, Shirley (Joe) Patterson, Kansas City, MO., and special nephew, Carl Murray, Grandview, MO. and a host of relatives, friends and church families.
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