Nancy Lou Ellis

Nancy Ellis, a retired employee with IBM, died on October 4, 2026, at the home of Lynn Schlegel. She was 87 and lived in Kirkwood, Missouri. She was the daughter of the late John and Elda Ellis of Jackson, Missouri.

Miss Ellis grew up in Jackson, Missouri and graduated from Jackson High School in 1956. She majored in mathematics and received a BS in Education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1960 and a MS with a major in mathematics from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in 1963. After teaching for several years at the secondary and university levels, she joined IBM in 1968.

During the 1970s Miss Ellis was the program manager for the development of IBM's large systems education curriculum used worldwide and she taught classes for IBM around the world.

At IBM Miss Ellis supported many Midwestern corporations in their use of IBM's largest computers and associated software. She was one of the first women to be promoted to Consulting Systems Engineer, IBM's highest level of technical support. She always worked with IBM's largest hardware and software systems in their largest customer accounts. She served at the branch, regional, and headquarters levels.

Miss Ellis was an active member of the Kirkwood United Methodist Church and served in the local church as Chair of the Administrative Board, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Chair of the Council of Ministries. She was a Stephen Leader and Stephen Minister and lead a Communion Ministry program for persons unable to attend church. In the late 90s Miss Ellis served as Vice Chair on the Board of Metro Ministry. She served for 20 years on the Board of Trustees of Central Methodist University as Chair, Academic Affairs Committee, Founder and Chair, Graduate and Extended Studies Committee, and member of the Executive Committee. She was a charter member of the Jackson R2 School District Foundation. Miss Ellis was nominated by Central Methodist University to receive the Trustee Emeritus Award, a very special honor, recognizing her years of service and dedication to the university. The award was scheduled to be presented on October 30, 2026.

Miss Ellis was an avid gardener and developed a large perennial garden featured in local and national publications. Additionally, she enjoyed genealogical research and wrote extensively about the Ellis family. She served for several years as a volunteer math tutor at Metro Academic and Classical High School in the St. Louis Public School system. She continued math studies by taking three semesters of calculus at Meramec Community College “just for fun”, enjoying the challenge of calculus and the friendship of professors and students. Miss Ellis began knitting sweaters for the Knit for Kids project and had a goal of knitting 135 sweaters.

A private graveside service was held on October 7th, 2026 at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

A visitation will be held at Kirkwood United Methodist Church, 201 W Adams Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122 on Friday, January 15, 2027 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM with a celebration of life following.