Longtime Cosmopolis resident Mildred “Millie” Bernice Ellis passed away at Grays Harbor Health and Rehab in Aberdeen on Feb. 7, 2025 at the age 96.

She was born on Jan. 14, 1929, in Portland, Oregon to parents Albert Tolley Downs and Alice Mary (Dougherty) Downs. The family eventually relocated to Taylor, Washington, where she attended grade school and later moved to Renton where she graduated from Renton High School in 1947.

She met the love of her life, Rex Joseph Ellis, at a church dance in 1949 and they were wed May 6, 1950 in Bellevue. Most of her working life was in the grocery industry, and she and her husband owned and operated Ellis’ Quick Stop in Cosmopolis from 1969 to 1982. She and her husband Rex were dedicated to supporting children and they volunteered in the state’s foster care system taking in teens in emergency situations. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and also spent many years volunteering at Cosmopolis Elementary School. She enjoyed trying her hand at different crafts, but above all else, she loved spending time with her family.

Millie is survived by her son Glenn (Sherry) Ellis of Blaine; daughters Camille (Dale) Wilson of Hoquiam and Alice Marshall of Renton; sister Ethel Hanis of Kent; grandchildren Megen (Jeff) Porter, Morgan Ellis (Tiffani Dahl), Emily (Brandon) Jones, Jason (Lisa) Marshall and Kylie (Kent) Dawson; and great-grandchildren Eva-Louise “Evie” Porter, Clara Jones, Landon Jones, Cooper Dawson, Camille “Millie” Dawson, and Cora Dawson.

She is preceded in death by her husband Rex Ellis; parents Albert and Alice (Dougherty) Downs; son David Ellis; daughter Lynn Smith; brother Henry Downs; sisters LaVina Ross and Eleanor “LaRue” Campbell; and son-in-law James Marshall.

A service will be held at the Aberdeen LDS church on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.