THOMPSONVILLE -- Flovesta (Hawkins) Ellis, 79, of Thompsonville, formerly of Chicago, left this world to live eternally with her Lord and Savior at 3:45 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Herrin Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Ellis in 2002; granddaughter, Robin Ellis; her parents, Vernon and Emmer (Phillips) Hawkins; and a sister, Mary Louise Wilson. Flovesta is survived by her three children, Robert (Loretta) Ellis, Tammy (Gary) Thomas and Katrina (David) Richmond; six grandchildren, Eric Ellis, Timothy (Nicole) Ellis, Samuel (Rebecca) Thomas, Brian (Misty) Thomas, Sarah Thomas and Stetson Richmond; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Christine (Fred) Wilcox. She was born on July 10, 1934, in Lake City, Ark. She married the love of her life, Samuel Ellis, on April 12, 1958. They spent 44 years together until his death in 2002. First and foremost a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she also had many gifts and talents which she used to bless others. She will be remembered for her hospitality and the delicious meals she prepared and served, as well as for hundreds of beautifully decorated cakes which graced many weddings and birthdays over the years. Flovesta has opened her home to countless relatives and friends who needed shelter and nurture without hesitation or expectation of any kind. For the past nine years, she has volunteered at the Thompsonville School where she has been grandma Flo to hundreds of children, helping them with reading, dispensing hugs and loving them all unconditionally as only she could. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Thompsonville where she faithfully served the Lord. Because it was her nature to always put others first, the family has request that in lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory be made to Thompsonville School so that grandma Flo can continue to love her little ones. Services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 in First Baptist Church of Thompsonville, with the Revs. John Robinson and Robbey Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church. Sloan Funeral Home of Galatia in charge of arrangements. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on Apr. 8, 2014