Ella Jane Carter Tennis

Ella Tennis was the epitome of a lady. With a generous heart, a quiet dignity, and a spirit for charity, she believed in the value of a life filled with love. Ella shared her heart and home with many, touching each person she knew with her never-ending warmth and kindness. A loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother and friend, Ella Tennis was truly a wonderful and special woman. Ellas story begins in an age known for progress. In the decade starting in 1910, social change was in vogue, filled with movements devoted to bettering immigrant living situations, education, and the work place. Cars were beginning to be produced in mass, the Model T had just begun to roll off the assembly line, and women still wore long skirts to keep from showing immodest ankles. For Edwin and Melinda Carter, life in 1910 was exciting and filled with anticipation as they, along with their children, prepared their home in Sumner, Illinois for the birth of a new baby. When September 24 rolled around and Melinda knew the time had come, she retreated upstairs while her children, Charlie, Edgar, Frank and Ethel waited anxiously for the news. Soon, they heard their father yell from the top of the stairs, Good Lord, Edgartheres two of them! Thus began the lives of Ella Jane and her twin brother, Ellis James. Ella enjoyed a happy childhood in Sumner, Illinois with her older siblings and younger brother, Jack. While Ellas mom worked in the home to keep a comfortable house for her family, her father supported them as the owner of a bookstore and ice cream parlor. Sunday evenings were a special treat for the family, for on those days they all walked to their papas store and were allowed to make any ice cream concoction they desired. Ella was a pleasant, bright child who loved to read and sing in the church choir. When Ella was 13 years old, the family moved to Inglewood, California. There, she attended Inglewood Union High School, where she proved her intelligence and received straight As. In the year 1927, at the age of 16, Ella proudly graduated from Inglewood Union High School. Ella's dream had always been to become an English teacher, but unfortunately the cost of continuing her education was too much for the family budget, as the Great Depression made money tight. However Ellas love of learning persisted and, in later years, would instill in her children the importance of speaking and writing correctly. After graduation, Ella started working at F. W. Woolworths candy counter. Before long, the company recognized her abilities, and she became the full charge bookkeeper. Aside from working, Ella also continued to be involved at her familys church, the First Christian Church of Inglewood, where she sang in the choir. One day, Ella caught the eye of a fellow choir member, a young man named Stanley Tennis. The two soon realized that they both wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of their lives singing together and, on March 10, 1935, Ella Carter became Mrs. Stanley K. Tennis. Stan worked for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph, which would later become AT In 1937, Ella and Stan became parents, with the birth of their daughter Linda Dean. Soon, Ella gave birth to two more daughters, Daryll Claire in 1938 and Jane Lee in 1940. Ella was a loving and adoring parent who was always there for her kids. She enjoyed spending time with her children, and the family was very involved in church activities. As a mother, Ella was a wonderful cook and seamstress, sewing all her childrens clothes and becoming famous for her lime meringue pie. Ella created such a wonderful home for her children that it soon became a popular hangout. Many regarded Ella as a second mother, and she enjoyed teaching her girls and their friends how to sew. Even when her children had moved away or married, Ella continued to receive visits from their friends. Ella kept busy both while the kids were young and after they were grown. It was important for her to be involved in her childrens lives, as well as giving back to her community. She served as treasurer on the church nursery school board, as well as a Bluebird, Campfire Girls and Horizon Club leader, was involved with the American Business Womens Association and the Masonic affiliate of the Order of Amaranth. Ella was employed by Hollywood Audit, North Hollywood, California in the early 1950's and, in 1960, became half owner. Sadly, 1985, Ella and Stan experienced the great loss of their daughter, Daryll. As Ella aged, she continued to try new things and conquer old fears. Ella had always fostered a fear of swimming, since she couldnt see without her glasses. When she was in her mid 40s, Ella and some of her work friends decided to take swimming lessons. There, she learned she could swim while wearing her glasses with the help of a swim cap. Later it became an enjoyable activity. Ella remained a special woman as she grew older, bringing joy to her family and friends with a beautiful singing voice that was the same at age 99 as it was at age 30. Ella passed away peacefully on Monday, September 20; just four days shy of her 100th birthday. Throughout her life, Ella lived with a quiet dignity and grace, and a chartable and generous heart. A wonderful wife, adoring and devoted mother, grandmother and friend, Ellas memory will continue to warm the hearts of those who knew her. She will be greatly missed. Ella is survived by her daughters, Linda (Norman) Mysen of Muskegon, Michigan, Janie Fields of Woodland and Hills, California; 7 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 6 step great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; daughter, Daryll Bates; all her brothers and her sister. A celebration of Ellas life will be held Friday, September 24, 2010, 3:00 pm, at Hillcrest Nursing Center. Services and Interment will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hollywood Hills, California. Contributions in her memory to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a photo or memory and sign the online guest book.