Alice W. Ellis, 85, of Morganton, NC formerly of New Paltz, NY died Saturday, August 16, 2025. Mrs. Ellis was born on June 11, 1940 in Poughkeepsie, NY to the late Lewis H. and Nettie (Hertzfeld) Wendover, Sr.
She was a member of Woman of the Moose, Morganton, NC Chapter #1382; Order of the Eastern Star, Mimosa Chapter # 269; former volunteer for Grace Hospital Guild, and member of the Pilot Club of Morganton. She worked in the food pantry at Burke United Christian Ministries in Morganton and was also a former volunteer for BUCM. She retired from the State University of NY at New Paltz in 1995 after 37 years.
Alice is survived by one sister, Betty Jean Tompkins; four step-children, Irving Ellis, Jr. (Deborah), Glenn Ellis (Audra), Diane Olson (Gregory), and June Boice (James); several step-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Iving C. Ellis, Sr., on June 11, 2001; two brothers, Lewis Wendover, Jr. and Robert Wendover; two sisters, Dorothy Wendver and Beatrice VanNostrand; step-grandson, Robert Visconti Boice; and grandson-in-law, Jason Moore.
The family would like to say special thanks to her granddaughter, Rachael Visconti and caregivers, Lisa Jenkins, Nicole Saunders, Lucy Vazquez, Danelle McClellan, and Gladys Poston for their extra special care these past several years and to her long-time friends at Timberwoods and the coffee club at North Morganton United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Sossoman Funeral Home. A funeral will follow at 4 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. David Rorie officiating. Additional services will be held in New York at a later date and will be announced when finalized.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Burke County Friends for Animals, Small Animal Clinic, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-4546 or North Morganton United Methodist Church, 990 Sanford Drive, Morganton, NC 28655.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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So sorry for your loss Alice was a good friend of mine she bought cars from me at Rooster Bush Cadillac in Morganton. She will be missed. She brought Chocolate brownies at Christmas, to all of us. She loved her animals so much. A wonderful person .
Oh my heart. I love Alice and am so grateful for the many years I had the privilege of being her server Timberwoods. I will always cherish all the giraffes the she gifted me from places across the globe that I had never even heard of. Alice was an amazing lady and friend. I am going to truly miss her. Rachel, I know that your heart is broken, but she couldn't have ask for a better granddaughter. You gave Alice such passionate love and care. Send prayers, love, and hug. -Marsha Fredell
I will miss Grandma
I am so blessed to have had a chance to know Ms.Ellis. She was one of a kind with her sense of humor; always seeing the bright side of everything. She told me many times, “It’s not anyone’s fault what cards I was dealt, so why should I be agitated with anyone when they are trying to help.” She holds a true part of my heart. Go dance with Jesus until we meet again.