It is with grieving hearts that we announce the passing of Eloise “Ellie” Gordon on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at her home in Monticello, Fla., at the age of 85.
Ellie was born February 7, 1935 in Bushnell, Fla. Her family settled in Lakeland, Fla. where she graduated from Lakeland Senior High in 1954. Ellie began her working career at First Federal Bank where she met her future husband Clayton E. Gordon who boldly proclaimed that she would be his wife. Clay and Ellie were married June 5, 1956, just three months after they met. She continued working as a bookkeeper throughout her life for Linder Construction, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and later at Fairchild Construction in Monticello.
Ellie loved to travel and riding the backroads was her favorite way to go. It was one such road trip that brought them down U.S. 90 in the summer of 1979 and the gloriously blooming crepe myrtles convinced them to relocate to North Florida. Clay and Ellie moved to Monticello in 1980 fulfilling their dream of owning a small farmstead.
In 1987 they purchased a neighborhood grocery store in Moultrie, Ga. and together built a thriving business until Clay’s health began to fail. The business was sold and after her husband’s death Ellie returned to Monticello in 1997.
Ellie made friends easily and soon surrounded herself with people she loved. She worked tirelessly helping to maintain and support the Monticello Jamboree where she met her loving and devoted friend Randolph Jenkins. The two became inseparable and have enjoyed life together ever since.
A devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend Ellie made it her purpose to make sure that everyone was taken care of and they knew she would always be there if needed. For Ellie, family and friends meant everything and she will be greatly missed.
Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clayton E. Gordon, her son Brian K. Gordon and sister Margie Robinson. She is survived by her loving companion Randolph Jenkins; her daughter Brenda (Jeff) Sorensen of Monticello; granddaughters Sheena Gordon, Hannah (Del) Loveless, both of Monticello, Olivia (Jeremy) Proctor, Crawfordville, Fla. Suzana “Sunnie” Sorensen, Tallahassee, Fla. and Natalie Sorensen, Monticello; great-granddaughters Cheyanne Gordon, Tallahassee and Ella Lowry, Norman Park, Ga. and Trinity and Jaycelynn Proctor, Crawfordville; great-grandsons Tripp and Maverick Loveless and Dansby Proctor; niece Marsha (Alan) McCollam, Auburndale, Fla.; nephews Douglas Robinson and Bill Robinson both of Lakeland, Fla.; great-niece Amanda (Brian) Dunavent and son Braston, Winter Haven, Fla.
A drive-by visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 263 Dove Lane, Monticello from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Please follow social distancing and COVID-19 guidelines for everyone’s safety.
Graveside Services to be held at Lakeland Memorial Gardens on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.
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