Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Ellis

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and faithful follower of Christ

March 24, 1963 – March 2, 2026

Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Ellis, 62, of Plano, TX – beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and faithful student of God's Word for more than four decades – passed peacefully in the early morning hours of March 2, 2026, surrounded by her husband, family and friends – in God's timing, as she was reunited for eternity with her parents on the seventh anniversary of her father's homegoing.

Beth was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a progressive and aggressive neurodegenerative condition that she fought bravely. As the disease progressed, her children found this prayer written in one of her Bible study books not long after she received the initial life-altering news: "Lord, I am willing to serve you right where I am in the midst of this diagnosis. I know you are more powerful than this disease. Show me how I can still be effective in the midst of this!" She is now whole again, restored and fully healed in the arms of Jesus.

Born March 24, 1963, to the late Jim and Cathy Bolton in Little Rock, AR, Beth was the eldest of three siblings raised in Little Rock and later Dallas, TX. After relocating to Texas, the family moved its church membership to First Baptist Church Dallas (FBCD), where her father, Jim Bolton, served as Chair of the Deacon Board for many years.

Beth grew up in the FBCD youth group and spent most of her formative years in Richardson ISD, including elementary and junior high before attending Richardson High School, where she graduated in 1981. Beth loved cheerleading all throughout junior high and high school and was asked to join the National Cheerleaders Association as one of their instructors for several years after graduating. She diligently studied the piano at an early age and later went on to fill her home with beautiful music as she played for her family.

Beth attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, majoring in Broadcast Communications. During her freshman year, she joined the Epsilon Upsilon chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma where she went on to build lifelong friendships and make countless memories. She was a Phi Delt little sister and later elected as their sweetheart. Beth was on the Baylor Homecoming court and was also named a "Baylor Beauty," something her family and friends called her for most of her life.

During her time at Baylor, she met the love of her life, Johnson Ellis, whom she dated for several years before graduating in 1985. They were married on May 31, 1986, in the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas by renowned Pastor W. A. Criswell. Beth was a devoted wife to Johnson for nearly 40 years and they had three children together: Landen (35), Sheridan (32) and Graham (30).

For 12 years, Beth coordinated the press office for Billy Graham's evangelistic crusades in major U.S. and several foreign cities. Beth gave herself completely to loving her family and providing the same spiritual foundation she received growing up. She regularly expressed her joy that each of her children developed a personal faith through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When asked about her hobbies in the days leading up to the FTD diagnosis, her one and only answer to the doctor was, "I pray for my kids."

Beth was a prayer warrior. Her intercession was the key behind-the-scenes force that supported the launch of several ministries impacting the Kingdom of Heaven. Beth served as a mentor to many young moms, eventually leading to the creation of the "Beth Ellis Faithful Mentor Award" in the Blend Sunday School class at Prestonwood Baptist Church.

Beth served on the Prestonwood Christian Academy board while her children attended the school. In recent years, she even got the joy of witnessing her grandchildren attend the same school and was a proud PCA grandparent. She understood the importance of Kingdom education and the generational impact it makes on families. That led her and Johnson to The King's Academy. She was deeply committed to the mission of this organization and faithfully volunteered at the school until her diagnosis prevented her from being there physically.

Beth was loved and revered by all who knew her. She was full of grace and elegance. Her beauty radiated from a heart so deeply rooted in Christ's love that you could feel it in her fun-loving, gentle presence. She was a Proverbs 31 woman in every way. She was a bright light with a grateful heart who loved and served all whom the Lord brought across her path.

Beth is survived by her husband Neal Johnson Ellis; their children Landen Shea Winston (David), Sheridan Elizabeth Ellis and Neal Graham Ellis, and her three grandchildren Skylar, Miles and Jace. Her sister, Ann Bolton Gilliland (Kevin); her brother, Robert Bolton (Sandee); her sister-in-law Autumn Ellis Ross (Larry); and her brother-in-law Richard Ellis (Rebecca) and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Beth was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Jim and Cathy Bolton, who preceded her in death.

A Celebration of Life service for Beth will be held on Monday, March 9th at 1pm CST at:

Prestonwood Baptist Church

Main Sanctuary

6801 W. Park Blvd.

Plano, TX 75093

(972) 820-5000

NOTE: For those unable to attend in-person, the memorial/funeral program will be livestreamed at: https://prestonwood.org/funeral-beth-ellis/

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Amazon Outreach in support of a ministry close to Beth's heart. By mail: Amazon Outreach, PO Box 260006, Plano, TX 75026; or by phone: 214-725-5907. https://amazonoutreach.org/donate/support-our-work