Bonnie Maurice Thornton Ellis

Bonnie Maurice Thornton Ellis, 89 years old. Maurice passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026 with her family by her side.

She was born on June 23, 1936 in Sylvarena, Mississippi (Smith County) Zella Janes and Julius O. Thornton. She graduated high school in Calhoun, MS. She furthered her education at Jones Junior College majoring in business. She often said she should have a degree from USM by helping her husband graduate.

She married the love of her life, Charles R. Ellis on August 26, 1956 in Calhoun, MS. Maurice devoted her life to her family, children; Carol Denise Ellis Mello, David Kent Ellis and James “Jimmy” Eric Ellis.

She retired from the Pascagoula School System as an assistant teacher, working at Fair Elementary and Cherokee Elementary Schools. Maurice was best known for her spaghetti and her love for her church, Eastlawn United Methodist Church where she was a member of over 65 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Julius and Zella Thornton; beloved husband Charles R. Ellis; her children, David Kent Ellis and Carol Denise Ellis; a brother-in-law, who was like her brother, John Willis Cochran.

She is survived by her son, James  “Jimmy” Eric Ellis and his wife,  Lisa; sister, Ouida Cochran; grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Walker, Brandon ( Alicia)  Miller, Brittnay (Nathan) Chausse, Chad Ellis, and Ryan (Billy) Speirs; nieces and nephews , Sheila (Frank) Loy, Michael (Lisa) Cochran and Mitchell (Marcia) Cochran; great grandchildren, Carson Tubb, Mary Tubb, Samuel Aiden Miller, Tristan Miller, Maya Miller, Mason Miller, Liam Miller, Tayt Miller, Gracie and Jack Miller, Kaiden Chausse, David William (Liam) Spires and Brittni (Axel) Aponte; great-great -grandchildren, Xavier Aponte, and Klaire Aponte,

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Singing River Hospital, Vital Care and wound care and her pastor, Nance Hixon. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in her honor to Eastlawn United Methodist Memorial Fund.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula at 12:00 noon with visitation one hour prior. Interment will conclude at Jackson County Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Miller, Samuel Aiden Miller, Mason Miller, Chad Ellis Nathan Chausse and Carson Tubb.

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