Obituary of Nancy-Sue Ellison

ELLISON, NANCY SUENancy Sue Ellison, 65, resident of Gainesville, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, August 10, 2012 after a long battle with breast cancer. Nancy Sue Ellison was born March 23, 1947 in Charleston, South Carolina to the late Donald and Josephine Hayes. Nancy graduated from McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida and upon graduation she moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the FBI. Years later she moved to the Gainesville area and started working for the University of Florida at the Physical Plant Division. Nancy retired after 35 years of dedicated service in September of 2011 from the Agricultural and Engineering Department. She was awarded the Davis Productivity Award in 1996 and Employee of the Year in 1997. Nancy was passionate about helping others, especially those battling cancer. She was active in many cancer related fundraising events and activities while working at the University of Florida. She also made it a priority to be an encourager to cancer patients around her while receiving chemotherapy herself. She loved to be around people and never met a stranger. Nancy had a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior and was considered a prayer warrior by many. She was a long time member of Trenton Baptist Church and in recent years became an active member of Parker Road Baptist Church. Nancy loved her family dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents Donald R. Hayes, Sr. and Josephine Priscilla Hayes. Nancy is survived by her daughters Kriscilla Sue LaForce (Mark) and Donielle Lee Keen-Southwell (Kevin) both of Gainesville as well as grandson Brandon Alan LaForce. She is also survived by brother, Donald R. "Rick" Hayes, Jr. of Ormond Beach; step-daughters, Sheryle (Sean) Dunn, of Westin, and Crystal Pool, of Ft. Lauderdale; step-grandchildren, Tyler Foley and Kylee Pool; sister-in-law, Deborah Hayes of Newberry; adopted sister, Anita Huntley (Michael) of North Carolina; niece Heather Hollingsworth (David) of Gainesville and special friends/caregivers Josie Tisdale, Joyce Schonfield and Brenda Diaz. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 11:00 A.M., in the Parker Road Baptist Church, 3200 SW 122nd Street, with Rev. E.V. "Gene" Coons, officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 from 5 to 7 P.M., in the Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in legacy of Nancy Ellison to make blankets, scarves, hats and bracelets for those currently battling cancer. For more information, you may contact Williams-Thomas Funeral Home.FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONWILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA(352) 376-7556