Ellen Reagan Richardson's Obituary
Ellen Reagan Richardson, age 86, of Memphis, died December 10, 2023.
Ellen was born October 19, 1937, to her parents Woodrow Wilson Reagan and Louise Taylor Reagan. Her early childhood was greatly influenced by events of World War II, when her family moved to Edgewood Arsenal near Baltimore where her father, an Army officer, served in the war effort. She began public school when she, her mother and brother, Morris, moved to Hazlehurst, Mississippi in order to live with her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Taylor. Mr. Taylor, her grandfather, was publisher of the Hazlehurst Courier, the local weekly newspaper.
During high school, Ellen was active in water sports and was an accomplished diver. She played the flute in the high school band and greatly enjoyed the many activities of the Presbyterian Youth Fellowship. She was known as a creative seamstress, even sewing her younger sister’s dresses for high school celebrations. Upon graduation from Hazlehurst High School, Ellen attended Southwestern at Memphis, now known as Rhodes College. While at Rhodes, Ellen enjoyed participating in activities of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and although she obtained her degree in chemistry, she would point out that her favorite classes were those in modern dance. Rhodes is responsible for more than Ellen’s education, for it was there that she met the love of her life, Thomas Edward Richardson, affectionately known as “Tommy.” Ellen hastened to complete college in 3 years so that she could marry Tommy, who had been drafted after he graduated college and was then stationed in what was West Germany. After a flamboyant bon voyage wedding shower, Ellen flew to Europe to marry Tommy.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Julia Estelle Richardson Gray, 2 grandchildren, Thomas Corbin Richardson and Meredith Estelle Gray.
Ellen leaves behind her husband of over 65 years, Thomas Edward Richardson, Sr.; three children, Thomas Edward Richardson, Jr. (Katherine), Sarah Louise Richardson, James Marshall Richardson(Adrienne), and son in law, Kevin Richard Gray; eleven grandchildren Aubrey Floyd Hubbard III (Megan), Caroline Louise Hubbard, Matthew McCain Richardson, Logan Michael Gray, Laura Ellen Gray, Samuel Shannon Gray, Miriam Taylor Gray, Richard Thomas Gray, James Trawick Gray, Thomas Rhys Richardson and Steven Milo Richardson; seven great grandchildren Emma Katherine Richardson, Thomas Lelan Richardson, Aubrey Floyd Hubbard IV “Dru”, Easton Bruce Hubbard, Edward Wyatt Hubbard, Estelle Wren Hubbard, Ellen Susana Hubbard; her brother Dr. Morris Trawick Reagan, and sister Dr. Sarah Reagan(Helen).
In addition to her birth family, Ellen had another family that she cared deeply about. Over decades she had a love for, and a daily commitment to, those who were “friends of Bill”. She was very involved in the Memphis recovery community, including her service on the board of Serenity House.
A contribution to a local recovery group would be a fitting tribute to Ellen.
The family will gather privately.
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