Ella Howard Pickens Page's Obituary
Ella Howard Pickens Page, affectionately known to her family and friends as “Ho”, passed away peacefully on Tuesday ,October 25, 2011 at the age of 81. She was married to Gene Ruffner Page MD for 52 years. Dr Page died in January 2007. She is survived by her four children: Ruffner Page and his wife Penny, Birmingham, AL, Louisa Smith and her husband, Nulsen, Chestnut Hill, MA, Susan Gates and her husband, Granville, Memphis, TN, and Nancy Howard Page Pettersen and her husband, Edward, Coconut Grove, FL. She is also survived by her cherished sister, Nancy Higgason, and her husband, Jim, from Memphis. Ella Howard moved to Memphis early in her life and attended Central High School. She graduated from Southwestern at Memphis, now known as Rhodes College, with a degree in psychology, where she was president of Chi Omega sorority. She attended Shady Grove Presbyterian church for 45 years, and served as the Director of Christian Education, and as an Elder. She was a passionate reader and enjoyed being with her life-long friends in the Sewing Club and “Lunch Bunch”. She supported her husband’s career as a surgical oncologist in Memphis at the Baptist Hospital, and spent many enjoyable trips travelling with him throughout the United States. Ho was the consummate wife, mother, and doting grandmother of Virginia, Libby, Margaret, Pearson, Page, Carter, Julia, and Granville. She was a fiercely proud and determined woman who cherished her family and friends. As her children, we are proud of the values she instilled in us and the daily life lessons she provided. Ho’s family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Bobbye Turner, who provided both Dr Page and Ho a lifetime of professional support and personal friendship. The family will hold a memorial service at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church at 3:00 pm on Thurs day, October 27, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ho’s memory to Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, the Church Health Center, or the charity of their choice.
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