Nancy Houston Ellis

Nancy Houston Ellis, 63, of Ouray, CO quietly passed away on October 27, 2018 surrounded by her family at her sister’s home after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Nancy was born in Lake Charles, LA on June 13, 1955 to Oliver C. Houston, Jr. and Irene (Billie) Sailers Houston. She graduated from LaGrange Senior High School in 1973 and held both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from McNeese State University.

A resident of Lake Charles most of her life, Nancy taught at Sulphur High School for 14 years beginning in 1984 until taking an administrative job at Southwest Louisiana Technical School (SOWELA). While there, Nancy served as the Dean of Student Services and handled many responsibilities at the school. Later, she taught two semesters as an instructor at Baton Rouge Community College.

From a young age Nancy was known for her love of animals and how important her four-legged babies were to her. She visited animal shelters after Hurricane Katrina and adopted animals whenever the opportunity presented itself, adding to her already growing menagerie. Her love of animals was not limited to dogs and cats. The family had a pet turtle, and she had a pet lizard whom she named Stumpy and interacted with her in the flower garden. She also loved birds, particularly cardinals, hummingbirds and owls and made sure to provide food and baths for them all year long. Nancy strongly believed that animals were as important as humans, and many times she preferred their company to those who could talk to her.

In 2011, Nancy married David Ellis and settled in Baton Rouge. From there, she and David moved to Ouray, CO, fulfilling a life-long dream of living in her beloved mountains. Nancy enjoyed the cool air, the snow, and having four seasons, but most of all she loved the breath-taking mountains that surrounded her home and the wildlife that was all around her and David.

Nancy is predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver C. Houston. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, David B. Ellis, Ouray, CO; son, Jeremey Lavoi (Abby) and precious granddaughter, Lillian Camille, New Orleans, LA; daughter, Miranda Lavoi, New Orleans; David’s children, daughter, Jennifer Anderson (Michael), granddaughters, Helen and Ellis Anderson; sons, Brian Ellis and Derrick Ellis; father-in-law, Floyd Ellis. She is also survived and mourned by her sister, Brenda Houston Romero (Mark), Lake Charles, two nieces, Laura Broussard (Craig), Sulphur and Leisha Dent (Jared), Katy, TX; four great nieces and two great nephews; her aunt, Betty Merchant, Orange, TX and her daughter-in-love, Theresa Loomis, New Orleans.

Visitation will be held Saturday November 3, 2018 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at University United Methodist Church, 3501 Patrick St., Lake Charles, LA. A memorial service will immediately follow at 3:00 PM, also at the church. Donations may be made, in Nancy’s name, to ASPCA and the American Cancer Society. Her family would like to thank all those who helped care for Nancy these last few months once she returned to Lake Charles.