Lucille Cameron Ellison

On September 10, 1936, Lucille Eliza Ellison (Cameron) was born to Lenon and Luell (Jackson) Cameron in Kilgore Texas. She grew up with the nickname "Babe”, loving the strong bond between her sisters and brothers. She attended local schools in Kilgore receiving her high school diploma from North Chapel High School.

Lucille was an excellent athlete, playing basketball, softball, and track. She also participated in a choir where they won first place in state competition. After graduating from high school, she attended Butler College on a basketball scholarship, graduated with a degree in Education. She continued her education at Colorado State University obtaining her Masters.

She married the love of her life Joe Eddie Ellison Sr. on August 24, 1959. Their love and commitment made them strong lifelong partners. This union made them the parents of Denna, Evalyn and Joe Jr. She loved her children and subsequent grandchildren, great grandchildren.  

Her Christian journey began at an early age. Upon moving to Odessa, Lucille and Joe Sr. attended Bethlehem Baptist Church for many years, later attending Life Unlimited Church. In her latter years she worshipped at Agape Dream Center (Purpose Church).

In the early years of Lucille’s career, she taught elementary school in Silverton TX, continuing in Lubbock TX before moving to Odessa in 1968. She taught in Ector County Independent School District for 30 years. During this tenure she taught fourth grade at Travis Elementary. The last years teaching Science, in which she was awarded Texas Elementary Science Teacher of the Year in 1987. She later retired in 1991. 

Lucille and Joe Sr. loved traveling culminating in trips across the USA, Hawaii, Jamaica, and Israel among other places. Her hobbies included sewing, reading, and exercising as well as sharing the gospel with many….and fashion 😊

She was preceded in death by her parents Lenon and Luell Cameron, her husband Joe Ellison Sr., brothers Gerald, Floyd and Chris Cameron, and sisters, Vestine Britton, Fay Nell Cameron and LaVonia Cameron Brown. She leaves as her legacy her children, Denna (Edward) Gibson, Evalyn Mazone and Joe Jr (Cynthia) Ellison, her grandchildren E. Dewayne Gibson Jr., Andrae Gibson Sr., Javian Gibson, Chantel Mazone and Jerome Mazone, Megan Fox, Ashly Pitones, Ansley Pitones, Elijah Pitones, Marcus Williams, Destiny Williams, Tristan Henry, Bryanna Williams, Amarri Henry, twenty-three great grandchildren and four great-great children. She is also survived by her sisters, Iris June Lang, Glenda Cook and Lela Ashford and brother-in-law John Britton and a host of relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Dewayne Gibson, Andrae Gibson, Tony Lang, Delmon Lyons, Gregory Lyons, Jamie Bucks.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Edward Gison Sr., Paul Ellison, Jerome Mazone, Gerald Cook, Lenon Ashford, Terry Britton, Ton Dennis.

The family would like to express our gratitude to her primary physician Dr. Gandra, Dr. Reddy, Dr. Mukkera and the staffs at Medical Center Hospital, Madison Medical Resorts, Interim HealthCare, The Courtyards Assisted Living and Memory Care, The Parks Skilled Nursing Facility, Interim Hospice Care, and independent caregivers - Melody Ferguson, Laquisha Smith, Jenette Jones.  

We would also like to thank the ministry and support of Purpose Church, for the many calls, visits, consultations, prayer warriors and well-wishers.