Kitty Ann Cook Ellis, 79, of Oxford, MS, originally of Avalon, MS, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 in Oxford.

A private family graveside service will be held Friday, June 12, in Evergreen Cemetery in Carrollton, MS, with The Rev. Carrie Duncan officiating. A celebration of Kitty's life will be held at a later date when current health restrictions have eased. Arrangements are by Wilson and Knight Funeral Home of Greenwood.

Kitty was born to Virgil Griffith and Annie Mae Brunson Cook on June 21, 1940. She graduated from Greenwood High School in 1958 and went on to study ceramics at Newcomb College in New Orleans and Big Creek Pottery in California. Kitty received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, then attended graduate school at the University of Kentucky. She later completed her Master of Education degree at William Carey University in Gulfport. Throughout her career, Kitty taught Art and gifted Art at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She created pottery that focused on birds and reptiles, along with other elements of nature. She created her work on the pottery wheel and by hand-building, many pieces with elaborate hand carvings. She was a loving mother and adored her grandchildren. She cherished friendship and had many lifelong friends that were as close as family.

Kitty is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil Griffith and Annie Mae Brunson Cook, and her former husband, William Lee Hodges.

Kitty is survived by her son, Matthew (Melanie) Hodges of Greenwood, daughter, Carrie (Rhyine) Long of Oxford, granddaughters, Vaida Juliette Hodges and Ann Frances Downing Long, brother, Virgil (Char) Cook, Jr of Oviedo, FL, husband, William R. Ellis of Madison, MS, three step-children, Heather (Rick) Sellers, Alyssa (Keath) Killebrew and Scott Ellis, three step-grandchildren, Sarah, Jackson, and Vivian, her nieces and nephew, as well as many beloved cousins.

Memorials may be given to Art in Action to provide curriculum, supplies, and training to schools across the nation with underfunded Art programs. Art in Action, 3925 Bohannon Drive, Suite 300, Menlo Park, CA 94025-1055.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the amazing team at Encompass Health Hospice of Oxford and to the staff and caregivers at Elmcroft of Oxford.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.wilsonandknight.com