Betty Driver Ellis

Elizabeth Driver “Betty” Ellis passed away peacefully on the morning of April 22, 2026, at Willson Hospice House in Albany, Georgia.

She was born on December 24, 1943, in Gainesville, Georgia, the daughter of Agnes Johnson Driver and Guy Fletcher Driver. She was raised in Athens, Georgia, where her father served as principal of Athens High School and her mother taught as an English teacher. She was a member of the Athens High School Class of 1961 and entered the University of Georgia a year early, graduating in 1964. At the University, she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and served as social chair for one year, during which time she arranged for Otis Redding to perform at a chapter event.

While attending the University of Georgia, she met her law student husband, George R. Ellis, Jr., of Americus, Georgia, the son of George R. Ellis, Sr. and Edith Morgan Ellis. Following their marriage on May 31, 1963, they made their home in Americus, Georgia, where George Ellis, Jr. engaged in the practice of law with his father.

Mrs. Ellis taught English in the Americus public schools and later served as an instructor of English at Georgia Southwestern College. She maintained throughout her life a respect for language and proper usage, reflected in her careful speech, her beautiful penmanship, and her lifelong habit of writing thoughtful notes and remembering important occasions.

For many years, she worked alongside Jane and Matt Sullivan of the Building and Decorating Center as a decorating consultant. She later invested in, managed, and renovated several rental properties, including the restoration of historic homes. She possessed a keen eye for design and took pride in creating spaces of beauty and order.

Mrs. Ellis was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Americus. She sang in the choir for more than thirty years and served the church in numerous capacities, including Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, parsonage chair, flower chair, trustee, and member of the church council. She was also active in the Emmaus community.

She was a member of the Junior Service League, where she served as president, and was active in civic and community service, including service on three city commissions.

She was, by nature, a giver and a doer, and an accomplished woman whose life was marked by attention to others. She maintained lifelong friendships, including a bridge club that met throughout her adult life. She was a thoughtful and generous hostess who took pleasure in bringing people together and creating a welcoming and beautiful environment through flowers, food, and music.

Lovingly known within her family as “Bet Bet,” she was admired for her charm, her impeccable manners, and her good taste. She possessed a quiet wit, a sense of humor, and a fondness for storytelling, often embellishing a good story to the delight of those around her. She believed that a good sense of humor, together with steadfast faith, could carry one through most of life’s difficulties. She was sentimental and valued tradition. She loved Christmas and took particular pleasure in holiday decorating, wrapping gifts, and giving to others. Born on Christmas Eve, she considered her life a special part of the season she so dearly loved.

Her favorite pastimes included cooking and sharing meals with family and friends, arranging flowers, listening to music and singing, and tending to plants and gardens, particularly hydrangeas and camellias. She was a good cook and took great pleasure in preparing meals for those she loved. She especially enjoyed the music of Luciano Pavarotti. She was well read and maintained a lifelong love of literature. She loved the Georgia Bulldogs, and she and George maintained season seats and attended the games for many years. She remained a devoted supporter throughout her life as a member of the President’s Club.

She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother. She was a true partner to George, providing a home and environment in which he and their children could thrive and grow, nurturing them with care and steadiness. She supported her children in every chapter, celebrating their achievements and guiding them through life’s challenges. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy, and she embraced every moment with them as their biggest champion, teaching them to sing her favorite songs, to laugh, and to love life.

She is loved and survived by her husband, George R. Ellis, Jr.; her daughter, Lisa Ellis of Athens, Georgia; her son, George Ellis III of Americus, Georgia; her grandchildren, Madison Ellis of Americus, Georgia, and Ellis Fiscus of Athens, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her brother, Guy F. Driver, Jr., of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2001.

A visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church of Americus on May 15 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a service in the sanctuary at 2:00 p.m., with a graveside burial at Oak Grove Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missions Committee of First United Methodist Church, 200 South Lee Street, Americus, Georgia 31709, or to the League of the Good Samaritan, Magnolia Manor, 2001 South Lee Street, Americus, Georgia 31709.