LeeAnn (Parks) Ellison

Life’s Reflection 

Lee Ann Parks Ellison was born September 10, 1939, in Kansas City, Kansas.  She was the daughter of LeRoy and Willa Mae Parks; and had one brother, Maurice Parks; who all preceded her in death. 

Lee Ann was married to Benoyd “Butch” Myers Ellison for 59 years at the time of his death on February 13, 2019.

She lived her entire life in Kansas City, Kansas, receiving her education in Kansas City, Kansas USD 500 schools graduating from Sumner High School where she was a cheerleader – and where she met Butch, the love of her life.  Lee Ann and Butch were married on July 9, 1960, and to this union two children were born, Guy Anthony and Stephanie Elise.

While raising their young family, Lee Ann completed her post-secondary education culminating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and embarked on a career of over 30 years as a Registered Nurse.  She worked in a variety of healthcare settings ultimately retiring as a school nurse at Coronado Middle School.  In retirement, she loved to travel to Pearland, Texas to visit Stephanie and her family.

Lee Ann and Butch’s house was a gathering place for family, friends, and the kids in the neighborhood.  Whether fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, a birthday or graduation, shooting basketballs in the driveway, or just impromptu parties around the pool, there was always something going on at the house.  Lee Ann always supported Guy and Stephanie in every endeavor – and there were a lot of them – baseball games, football games, dance recitals, choir and band concerts.  When Guy and Stephanie went off to college, they brought the house to them.  Lee Ann and Butch, sometimes with other family in tow, traveled to all of Guy’s football games, whether home or away – and they always came with food.  They would ask what the kids wanted to eat, prepare, and pack, it up, bring hotplates and setup a buffet in their hotel room. ALL of the kids (teammates and roommates) would go to the hotel and have a wonderful home cooked meal.   The football road trips continued when her grandson, Ryan, played high school then college football with Lee Ann and Butch making many trips south to watch him play. They hit the road again for special occasions like the birth of grandkids Erin and Ryan, high school and college graduations, holidays, and sometimes “just because”.  Family, by blood or love, was the center of her joy.

Growing up, Lee Ann’s family belonged to First A.M.E. Church. Through most of her adult life, and until her death, she was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church.   

Lee Ann is survived by son, Guy Ellison (Debbie), Kansas City, Kansas; daughter, Stephanie Woods (Reginald), Pearland, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Nolen and Carole Ellison, Roseville, California; sister-in-law, Eathell Parks; 6 grandchildren, Reginald (LaQuisha); Christian; Erin; Ryan; Madison; and Alexis; 3 great-grandchildren, Juelz; Madison Elle; and Summer; nieces, Rhea Scott (Steve), Kansas City, Kansas; Mauriann Bailey (Matthew), Girdwood, Alaska; nephews, Marc Ellison (Ann), Roseville, California; Steven Ellison (Dianne), Novi, Michigan; Ryan Lawson, Kansas City, Kansas; and, Rhand Lawson, Texas; and a host of extended family and friends.

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