Diana "Dee" Marie Ellis, 85, of Suffolk, VA, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on September 11, 2024.

Born on June 15, 1939, in Rochester, PA, to the late Earl W. Timmons and Mary Conley, Dee spent her early teen years in Franklin, VA, before returning to Pennsylvania. A 1957 graduate of Monaca High School, Dee was a talented drummer in the marching band and was crowned the 1956-1957 Band Queen. After high school, she began her career at Neville Chemical Company.

In the early 1960s, Dee married and moved back to Virginia, where she worked for Union Camp Corporation. While living in Windsor, VA, she raised three sons and later worked for A. Dunston Johnson Attorney and Griffin Oil Company. She retired to central Florida in the late 1990s, eventually returning to Suffolk, VA, in the early 2000s.

During her retirement, Dee dedicated countless hours to crafting homemade gifts for nursing home residents in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. She found immense joy in delivering these gifts, especially during the holidays, and cherished the smiles and hugs from the residents. Dee's faith in God motivated her to continue crafting and gifting items to family, friends, nursing homes, and hospital nursing staff well into 2024.

Dee is survived by her sons, Frank W. Ellis, Jr. (Christina) of North Potomac, MD, John D. Ellis (Melissa) of Chesapeake, VA, and Stephen B. Ellis (Jennifer) of Orange Park, FL; nine grandchildren:  Courtney and Kendall Ellis; Katie Vance and Rachel McLellan; and Ashley Asad, Allison Ellis, Lauren Ellis, Rebecca Ellis, and Sophia Ellis; as well as four great-grandchildren: Jacob Shachno, Benjamin Ennis, Charles Luke Gornto, and Layla Asad. She was predeceased by her brother, Earl J. Timmons.

A longtime member of Isle of Wight Christian Church, Dee often played the piano. In recent years, her church family was exceptionally kind in giving her rides to Sunday services, providing meals, and sharing meaningful visits.

A Funeral Service will be led by Rev. John Bauswell on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Parr Funeral Home, 3515 Robs Dr., Suffolk, VA 23434 followed by interment at Holly Lawn Cemetery, 1525 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Isle of Wight Christian Church, c/o 11489 Doles Rd, Zuni, VA 23898 in Dee's memory.

Condolences may be made to parrfuneralhome.com.