On March 7, 2024, Bebe Ellis joined her heavenly Father, her creator, and her work was
complete. As an artist, Bebe approached life with an eye for detail and the ability to see the
beauty in the world around her. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love of family, and passion
for her community.
Bertha “Bebe” Rachel Chunn Ellis was born on September 4,1938, in Salem, Alabama, to
Reverend Henry Frank and Louise Chunn. A preacher’s kid, Bebe and her family traveled
throughout the United States through various assignments. She graduated from Vigor High
School, and then she attended the University of Southern Mississippi. While at Southern Miss,
she married her high school sweetheart Ole Ellis on August 23, 1957. They were happily
married for sixty-four years.
During her husband’s military career, Bebe devoted herself to raising their children. Life as a
military wife took her to places around the world and the United States such Washington,
Germany, South Carolina, and Georgia.
She eventually fulfilled her desire to study art and painting. She attended the Greenville
Museum of Art, Armstrong State College, and Georgia Southern University. Bebe was a gifted
artist. She created and sold paintings, pottery, Christmas Santas, floral arrangements,
ornaments, and various art pieces. In addition to art, her creativity was evident in other areas of
her life, including her baking and gardening.
Bebe and her family eventually settled in Chipley, Florida, and made it their lifelong home. She
opened the Blackburn House, a gift shop which served as a creative outlet for her art work. Bebe was also an active member of First United Methodist Church in Chipley, and she was an
integral member of her community. She loved to serve and care for others, and she eagerly
sought ways to support her friends and neighbors.
Bebe would be the first to tell you she was not perfect, but as clay is molded by a potter, she
allowed her life to be molded and shaped by her heavenly Father. She lived with elegance,
kindness, diligence, and remained surrendered to the will of God in her life. It is evident that
God shaped her gifts and talents, and she worked hard to steward them for His glory.
Bebe is preceded in death by her parents Henry Frank and Louise Chunn, her sisters Frankie
Wood, Dot Ballard, and Debbie Musser, and her husband Ole Ellis. She is survived by her
brother David Chunn (Carol Dearman Chunn) and her four children Chris Ellis (Kim Hirst Ellis),
Rachel Ellis Belser (Chauncey Belser), Terry Ellis (Paula Woodham Ellis), and Derek Ellis. Also,
eleven grandchildren: Justin Ellis (Hollie Ellis), Allen Ellis, Ashley Ellis Taylor (Jason Taylor),
Jordan Belser Horvath (Philip Horvath), Allison Ellis Davis (Alex Davis), Joy Belser Grace
(Stetson Grace), Jenna Belser, Jamie Ellis Lee (Dylan Lee), Jessica Belser Newton (Christopher
Newton), Kevin Belser, and Allie Ellis.
She is also survived by 20 wonderful great-grandchildren: Gavin, Grayson, Gibson, Griffin,
Brookley, Jax, Baxley, Kenna, Jameson, Lyanna, Case, Colt, Cooper, Tessa, Reese, Boaz,
Piper Joy, Theo, Graham, and Beckham.
