Ellen Mae Markham

Ellen Mae Markham, 70, of Nevada, died on Friday Aug. 10, 2007, at her home in Nevada, following a short illness. She was born on Oct. 23, 1936, in Odessa, Mo. to Theodore H. Long and Vada Belle Tye Long.

Ellen grew up and graduated from high school in Freeman, Mo. in 1956.

That same year, she made the Kansas City Dawns professional basketball team, which she was a member of until her marriage to George E. Markham on March 9, 1956.

Ellen was a homemaker most of her life. She worked for Bennie's Bar-B-Q for a time and Bob's Produce for 10 years. She became a member and tended barst the Nevada Eagles Lodge in 1990, where she held every officwe except "Inside Guard" for the Women's Auxilliary. She was also past "Eagle's Mother of the Year." Ellen also worked several years in the Housekeeping department of Beverly Healthcare in Nevada.

Survivors include one son, Clinton Wayne Markham and his wife Tammy, of El Dorado Springs, five daughters, Shelia Lynn Craighead and her husband Richard of Tulsa, Okla., Brenda Gail DuVall and her husband Eddie, of Tulsa, Okla., Linda Jo Holland and her husband Ed, of Nevada, Cheryl Branson of Tampa, Fla. and Debbie Beard and her husband William of Adrian, Mo. Two brothers, Franklin Long and his wife Millie, of Harrisonville, Mo. and John Mackey Long and his wife Wendy, of Poplar Bluff, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her husband George in 1973, daughter Rhonda Lee Lewis in 2001, two infant children, Gary Wayne in 1956 and Georgenna Marie in 1960.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, with David Rorabaugh officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Taborville, Mo. Friends may call now until the hour of service and the family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday evening.

Those who wish my contribute to the Children's Mercy Hospital in care of Ferry Funeral Home.