Dortha Mae Collins Ellard July 2, 1924 March 3, 2011 Dortha Mae Collins Ellard of Waco died March 3, 2011. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 7, at Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Shelton Markham officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation with family will be 6:00 8:00 p.m., Sunday, March 6, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Mrs. Ellard was born July 2, 1924, in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Alvin High School, Alvin, TX, and graduated from Southwestern Business University in Houston. She married Jack Ellard on December 10, 1948. While living in Alvin she was Executive Secretary to Superintendent of the Inorganic Division, Monsanto Chemical Company, where she received the Good Ambassador Award for outstanding community service. After moving to Waco in 1971, she worked part time as Secretary to Plant Manager and to the Personnel Director, Owens-Illinois Glass Plant, for 15 years. She was a volunteer for the Veterans Administration Hospital, Meals on Wheels and the Family Abuse Center. Dot was co-founder and first president of Les Nouvelles Amies, a Waco newcomers' club. She was president of Tejanas Study Club and the President's Club of Waco Federation of Women's Clubs. She was also active in Fowlkes-Hawn Speech Club, National Secretaries Association, American Business Women's Association, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Hamilton House and Newcomers and Neighbors Club. She joined Western Heights Baptist Church in 1978 and was a member of Rachel Sunday School Class. Dot was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Jack; her parents; her daughter, Barbara Lou Barile; sister, Sally Hermann; brother, Bob Collins; and her great-grandson, Hunter Heitzman. She is survived by her daughters, Bobbie Jo Turpin and husband, Jim, of Manvel, TX; Judy Mach and husband, Dennis, of Katy, TX; and Aimee Cooper of Waco; grandchildren, Lee Turpin and wife, Jennifer; Angela Turpin; Marcie Heitzman and husband, David; Eric Mach and wife, Dustie; Rachel Wilson and husband, Ryan; Justin Furnace and wife, Lori; Russell Furnace and wife, Tonya; and Jenni Herrin and husband, Charles. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren are Kurtis Turpin and wife, Alexandra; Kristofer and Trace Turpin; Ashley, Kyla, Camden, Durham and Marshall Mach; Meagan and Luke Wilson; Bret, Julia, Foster and Catie Heitzman; Bryson Herrin; Kaylee Eller; Conrad and Raegan Lou Furnace; and great-great granddaughter, Kirra Lee Turpin; her sister, Wanda Jo Scott; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Lee Turpin, Justin Furnace, Russell Furnace, Eric Mach, Charles Herrin, and nephew, Craig Hermann. Honorary pallbearers are Ryan Wilson, David Heitzman and Steve Hermann. Memorials may be sent to Western Heights Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.
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