Ellen Louise (Watson) Cantrell

Ellen Louise was born January 30, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Willie James and Hester Watson as the second of three children. She dearly loved and cared for her siblings, Billy and Sandra. Ellen grew up in Indianapolis and attended Crispus Attucks High School. After High School, she married twice and had 6 children: Bobby, Derrick, Dana, twins Karyn and Kevyn and Sandra “Khandee”.

Ellen accepted, believed, loved and served Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour. She demonstrated and instilled these values in her family as well. She was a strong and virtuous Christian woman who spent her life serving the Lord by studying and living her Bible, singing in the choir and serving as an Usher and Pastor’s Aid in local churches. Ellen loved and cared for her family, friends and community. She was friendly, generous, caring, compassionate and always teaching and giving to those around her and those in need.

Raising her six children by faith as a single mother, Ellen lived an Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Exceptional Nurturing.  She studied Nursing at IUPUI for nearly 4 years. Education and close family bonds were very important to Ellen and she instilled these values in her children.

As a result, Ellen leaves a legacy of a beautiful, close and loving family with many children and grandchildren graduates with High School Diplomas and Associates, Bachelors, Master’s Degrees and even a Doctor of Vet Medicine!

Ellen’s legacy also includes offspring with careers including: Teachers, Ministers, Missionaries, Military Soldiers (Army), Chaplain, Social Worker, Respiratory Therapist, HR and Communications Professionals, Online University Faculty, Student Mentor, Computer Scientist, Mechanical Engineer, Beauty Industry Entrepreneurs, Medical

Office and Real Estate Managers. Creative careers include Make-up Artist, Graphic Design Artists, Published Authors and Poets, Singers and Song Writers, Musicians and more!

Wow! What a legacy! Ellen was so proud that she beamed as she introduced and told everyone about her legacy at every opportunity!

Ellen was a leader and she used her many skills working at jobs including Banking, Post Office, Public Schools, Community Aide, Family Support Center Executive Assistant, QMA, Senior Homes and St. Vincent New Hope Skills Trainer. She was also an Entrepreneur with her own Avon and resale businesses.

A lifelong learner, Ellen learned to text, joined Facebook and used Google Duo to stay in touch with beloved family and friends near and far. She loved family gatherings, parties and celebrations and was a huge Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers fan! She wore their gear, watched their games and cheered them on! She loved music, dancing, walking and water aerobics. Other favorites were flowers, gardening, shopping, baking, travels, audiobooks, pets, stuffed animals, word search, Bingo and Solitaire,

Ellen departed peacefully and painlessly in Indianapolis with loved ones and St. Vincent’s Hospital Nursing Team. Ellen entered eternal life on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 78 years of age.

Ellen leaves a legacy of faith, strength, determination, high standards and precious memories to her children: Sandra “Khandee” Cantrell, Kevyn Cameron, Karyn Marshall (David), Dana Coe (Estell); many grandchildren, family, friends and special friends, Denise Bohanen and Karen Moore.

Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers at:

TBN.org, Daystar.com, or Nursing.IUPUI.edu

See https://crandle954.wixsite.com/ellencantrell