Ellen Baker Gunnells

Ellen Baker Gunnells went to her heavenly home on Sunday, March 13, 2016. Unable to see for twelve years due to macular degeneration, she has now regained her sight, and the first person she saw was Jesus, her Lord and Savior. Surely His words resounded through the hallowed street of the heavenly city, “Welcome home, my faithful servant.” Born on February 28th, 1924, to Robert Lester Baker and Myrtle Edwards Baker in her beloved mountains of northeast Georgia (Cleveland), Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Frank, James and Corbett Baker and sisters Ruth Hopkins and Lula Belle Moss. Surviving are her daughters Janie Ross (Gene) of Danville, VA, Sarah Booth (Eddie) of Mebane, NC, and Annette Hall of Wilmington, NC; a sister, Fannie Mae Baker and a brother, Buford Baker (Roberta) of Cleveland, GA. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren: Bobby McGuire, Jr. of Wilmington, NC, Jeff McGuire (Stephanie) of Chatham, VA, Curt McGuire (Tammy) of Danville, VA, Tana Louise Hall of Greenville, NC, Brooke Booth Blalock (Christopher) of Mebane, NC, and Sarah Annette Ross Rodriguez (Bill) of Oxford, GA., and seven great-grandchildren. Ellen retired from Dan River Textile Mills in Danville, VA after more than 30 years of service. She attended Southhall Baptist Church (later relocated and renamed Westover Baptist Church) where she served over twenty-five years in the nursery. A very gentle soul, she beautifully exhibited the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Never once complaining about her lack of sight or about any of the other challenges that she faced, Ellen accepted with equanimity whatever life offered. She taught her children to read God’s word, to pray, to be grateful, and then put themselves in God’s hands. They, in turn, taught their children who taught their children, and so these lessons will continue to resonate generation after generation. “And her children shall rise up and call her blessed.” Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 15th, from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. at the Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 16th at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home with Pastors Robert Vermillion and Clayton Murphy officiating. Interment will follow at Danville Memorial Gardens. Other times the family will be at the Janie Ross residence, 108 Windsor Trail, Danville, VA 24541. Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel is serving the Gunnells family.

Ellen Baker Gunnells

February 28, 1924 - March 13, 2016