Helen "Becky" Ellis Jones

HENDERSON- Helen Rebecca “Becky” Strickland Ellis Jones, 85, of Southerland Mill Road, died Monday, September 2, 2024 at the home of her daughter. Born December 23, 1938 in Vance County, she was the daughter of the late Nannie McGhee Strickland and Donald Day Strickland. After 42 years of marriage, she became the widow of the first love of her life, James Alfred “Putt” Ellis and she was also the widow of the second love of her life, Raymond Steven Jones. Becky was a kind, wonderful and loving mother to her children whom she loved very much. She was known as mama, Grandma and NaNa. She was very protective of her children and grandchildren. She loved them unconditionally. She loved to cook and everyone loved her cakes, pies, biscuits, and fried chicken. She was the backbone of the family and everyone always called mama/grandma for everything. Whatever mama/grandma said, or advice she gave, that’s what her children and grandchildren relied on. Her life was built on her family. Family first and treat everyone with kindness. She had a heart of gold. She worked at Harriet and Henderson Yarns for 25 years before her retirement. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 6, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at Liberty Christian Church by Rev. Jeff Prewer and Rev. David Barnett. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens Cemetery. Becky is survived by her three children, Dianne Ellis Moss of Henderson, James Donald Ellis (Lois) of Henderson and Betty Jo Ellis Bickel (George) of Wake Forest; ten grandchildren, Jamie Moss (Tracy), Jennifer Ellis (Tony), Tal Moss, Ashlei Moss, Joshua Moss (Heather), Brandon Ellis, Michael Shane Ellis, Troy Bickel (Erin), Pam Riggan and Tony Riggan; eleven great-grandchildren, Courtney Moss, Taylor Sullivan, Adriane Sullivan, Robert Newton, Maddison Moss, Bella Ellis, Braylen Ellis, Wesley Ellis, Finley Bickel, Collin Harris and Callie Riggan; a great-great grandchild, Jaxon “Jax” Ellington; and her sister, Sandra Peck (Hubert) of Pickins, SC. In addition to her parents and her husbands, she was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn Pendergrass. Serving as pallbearers will be Jay Ellis, Spencer Ellis, Leland Pendergrass, Tony Pendergrass, Robert Newton, Troy Bickel, Noah Chapman and David Gupton. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. at J.M. White Funeral Home; at other times they will be at the family’s “homeplace,” 2930 Old County Home Road, Henderson, NC 27537.