Ellene French Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ellene Goswick French, 80, passed quietly in her sleep August 14, 2020 at Medical City Hospital in Plano, Texas in the presence of her daughter Alice. She was born December 29, 1939 at the family home in Barry Texas to Ewell Goswick and Mae Parks Goswick. She was preceded in death by her parents Ewell and Mae Goswick, her sisters Nila Jean Goswick Sinclair and Eula Mae Goswick Haynie, her husband Willie Neilan French, son Willie Neilan French Jr. and son-in-law Bert Page Hollis. She is survived by her sister Joyce Wynelle Goswick Garrison-Kaufman Texas, her children, Pepper “Maryjo French” Clark-Oklahoma City Oklahoma and former son-in-law Barry Scott Clark, Alice Elaine French Jones and son-in-law Edward William Jones-Wylie, Texas, Sarah Joann French Hollis Jones and son-in-law Michael David Jones-Haughton, Louisiana, and son Ezra Amon Eli French-Navarro Mills, Texas; her grandchildren Garret Scott Clark and Seth Smiley-both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Michael Dain Jones-Plano Texas, Maulsby “Molly” Dawn Jones-Wylie Texas, Ashley Breanne Hollis-Lubbock Texas, Cooper Daniel Hollis-Natchitoches, LA, Peyton O’Neal French and Austin DeLane French; great-grandchildren Saber Clark and Rebel Smiley, along with a great many nieces and nephews. Being brought up in the Church, Ellene at first attended 5th Ave Church of Christ, 2nd Ave Church of Christ, and finally was a longtime resident member of Westhill Church of Christ. She graduated from Corsicana High School, which is now known as Drane Middle School, in 1958. Her parents had instilled an excellent work ethic; Ellene graduated high school on Friday and began work at 1st National Bank on Monday morning. Later she worked with her husband Neilan French in his real estate appraisal office before Neilan passed. You cannot speak about Ellene without speaking about Neilan. The two met through a common friend Zoe Ann and a short few months later Neilan proposed to Ellene on the Ferris Wheel at The Texas State Fair on October 17, 1959, they were later married the same year on December 26th at 5th Ave Church of Christ. Ellene spent many years working in the Corsicana community giving back any way she could and never hesitated to try and instill that same desire in her children. She worked with Meals on Wheels delivering plates in the community to those in need, but she always made sure to stay and visit and show those residents kindness and they had value. She was an active member of the local American Business Women's Association (ABWA) earning the title of ABWA- “Women of the Year” for her hard work and dedication in 1976. Ellene was dedicated to her family which she did not come by easily. She and Neilan adopted 4 children throughout their marriage and were open to adopting more prior to Neilan’s passing. Being dedicated to her family Ellene worked beside Neilan building his Real Estate company and gained her own real estate license during that time. Somehow while being a mother, attending PTA meetings, and working beside Neilan she also managed to attend night classes at Navarro College and graduate with Honors earning an Associates in Science degree in 1980. After Neilan passed Ellene returned to her bank career working for Prosperity Bank until she retired in 2012. Ellene was a giver and felt it her Christian duty to aid others when she could. She had a compassionate heart, faithful dedication, and love for her mother, sisters, nieces, nephews’ husband, and children. She also had a stubborn streak, was very private, and never wanted to be fussed over. She felt it was her duty to bring others to Christ and never passed up a chance to share her love of God. Ellene will be terribly missed and we are thankful for her time with us; we are equally thankful her health struggles are over and she has been gathered home to heaven. Due to Covid-19 constraints, a socially distanced visitation and service will be conducted Friday, August 21, 2020, at Griffin Roughton Funeral Home. Visitation from 12-1 pm, funeral service at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Navarro Mills Cemetery fund. Please make checks out to Navarro Mills Cemetery Association and mail to Joel or Carolyn Sawyer 1080 FM 667 Purdon Tx 76679 so that an acknowledgment can be sent in appreciation, or you may make the donations directly to the Navarro Mills Cemetery Association at Citizens Bank P.O. Box 159 Dawson Tx 76639 with no acknowledgment.

Ellene French

December 29, 1939 - August 14, 2020