Ellen Wallis Jeffery, 90, of Frederick, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2015. Born February 9, 1925 to Kyle and Rebecca (Wallis) Ketner in Riverdale, MD. She is preceded in death by her two sisters, Antoinette Ketner Bengtson and Mary Rebecca Williams. A native Washingtonian, she grew up on Otis Street, NE in Brookland. She was a graduate of McKinley Tech High School in Washington, D.C. and the University of Maryland. She was employed as an elementary school teacher for several years before starting a family. Later in life, she volunteered teaching adults English as a second language, and was active in NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness). She loved to travel, enjoyed quilting and reading, and was the founding member of the Lincoln Day Club, an empowerment group for women. Ellen is survived by her husband of 65 years, James Hyatt Jeffery, Jr.; sons, David Norwood Jeffery and James Joseph Jeffery (Deborah); daughter, Rebecca Lora Jeffery (Richard); grandchildren, J. Douglas and Andrew Jeffery, Dana and Mastin Fowler. The family will receive friends from 10-11am on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick. The funeral service will begin at 11am at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Alliance of Mental Illness at http://www.nami.org Arrangements entrusted to Kenney & Basford Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com
