Mrs. Darnella Jones Ellis, known as "Bootsie", was born November 23, 1937 in Winston-Salem, NC to Marie Jones and Sylvester Grant. She departed this earthly life on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at Forsyth Medical Center.

She attended the public schools of Winston-Salem and was a graduate of Atkins High School. After graduation she was employed by Duplan Inc. of the city and later by Bellsouth where she retired after 25 years. Her dream/aspiration was to be a teacher. After classes at Forsyth Tech, she was certified to become a substitute teacher in the WS/Forsyth County School System. She was an advent sports fan. Her favorite teams were The Washington Redskins and The Duke Blue Devils.

She was a life-long member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a Senior Usher, Missionary Group Chair, Church Clerk, Chapel Choir member, Vacation Bible School Teacher, and on the Board of Christian Education.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ellis was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Ellis, Sr.; two sisters, Betty Jones and Patricia Daniels; and one brother, Larry Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Melvin, Jr., Darryl Sr. (Angela), and Brian (Sabrina) all of the city; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Priscilla McDuffie(Marshall), Vanessa Jones, Denice Jackson (Terry), and Towanda Britton (Clarence); two brothers, Sylvester Jones (Brenda) and Reginald Jones (Cheryl); a special friend, Dora Crumbling; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Sherwood Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Tuesday at the Church.