Henryetta (Blanchard) Ellis

Henryetta Ellis, 71, of Tecumseh, OK passed away on December 22, 2023 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Henryetta was born on October 14, 1952 to Henry and Helen Marie Blanchard in Little Axe, Oklahoma.  She married Leroy Ellis on August 27, 1970, in Shawnee, OK.

Henryetta was raised in Little Axe and in Oklahoma City. She moved back to little Axe with her aunt and uncle and met Leroy in the Summer of 1968 and began dating in the summer of 1969. They married on August 27, 1970 at Calvary Baptist Church in Shawnee. They began their life together in Shawnee and then in 1979 moved to Tecumseh to live.

She graduated in Tecumseh in the class of 1970 and earned her Bachelor’s degree of Social work from the University of Oklahoma with an Associates degree in early Childhood Development from OCCC.

Henryetta worked as an Early Childhood Educator with the Head Start Program, serving as a director for multiple locations and a Teacher at the St. Benedict’s location.

She was a Tecumseh High School Alumni member, and enjoyed traditional Tribal Ceremonies, creating Traditional clothing, and doing beadwork.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Harry Blanchard.     

She is survived by her husband, Leroy Ellis of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Mandy Ellis of Tecumseh;4 grandchildren, Christian, Ariel, Andee and Austin Ellis; 8 brothers, Joe Blanchard, Alex and Lisa Blanchard, Terrance Blanchard, Russell Blanchard, Charles and Mary Robinson, Jack and Cora Robinson, Jr, Florentina Ramirez, Jr, and Antonia and Jeannine Ramirez; 4 sisters, Manuela “Sissy” Ramirez, Elaina and Jonas Jacobs, Lila Lindsay, and Audrey Dodds.

Tribal Rites will be Saturday evening December 23, 2023 at Brendle Corner Norman, Oklahoma. The burial will be Sunday morning, December 24, 2023 at the Gibson Family Cemetery in Norman, Oklahoma, with George Blanchard officiating, under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.