Georgia May Ellis, 80, died Friday, April 7, 2000, in her home in Paola after a battle against cancer.

She was born April 30, 1919, in Osawatomie, the daughter of Sylvester Paul and Viola Bertha Huff Chrisjohn. She attended Indianapolis Country School southwest of Osawatomie and was a 1937 graduate of Osawatomie High School.

She and Merle Laverne Ellis were married Nov. 22, 1947. Dancing brought the couple together. They met at a dance in a furniture building behind Coker's Store in Osawatomie. They continued dancing for 52 years.

They started their married life in Osawatomie. The waters of the 1951 flood reached the middle of the windows on their one-story home. They moved to Paola soon afterward.

Mrs. Ellis was a clerk for Coker's stores in Paola and Osawatomie and Terrill's Dry Goods and Paine's Shoe Store in Paola. She retired in 1975.

Her greatest joy was her family. Other hobbies, besides dancing, were crocheting, quilting and genealogy.

Preceding her in death were her brothers, Carl Benjamin Chrisjohn and Walter Ray Chrisjohn, and a sister, Catherine Chrisjohn.

Survivors include her husband, Merle L. Ellis of the home; two daughters, Mary Lou Bennett of Shawnee and Betty Conn of Spring Hill; a brother, John D. Chrisjohn of Burkeville, Texas; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were Tuesday in Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home. Burial was in Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gerald Conn, Sharon Conn, Roger Conn, Timothy D. Bennett, Michael McGarry and Steven Allen.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Olathe Medical Center, Suite 2l2, 20375 W. 151st S t., Olathe, KS 66061.