Sally L. Ellis, 71, of Owensboro, passed away peacefully Monday, March 17, 2025, at home surrounded by her loving family. Sally was born March 7, 1954, and graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School, Class of 1972.
In her early years, you could find Sally bringing in and stacking hay from the fields in Stanley, Kentucky. But her career really began at the horse racetrack, Ellis Park, in Henderson, Kentucky. There you might find Sally counting money while drinking a Sterling beer and enjoying some famous Ellis Park hotdog relish. She might even jump into the racetrack’s winners circle and pose for a picture. Later, Sally discovered she had a green thumb and a gift for growing the most beautiful plants and vegetables; and she began operating greenhouses for the Ellis Estate farms. Sally also owned a National Reined Cow Horse Association champion, Pedro, and enjoyed traveling to different shows and competitions and watching Pedro’s performances. Besides living in Owensboro, Sally enjoyed time living in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Jensen Beach, Florida.
If you knew Sally, you knew she loved cheering on the Louisville Cardinals, watching Law and Order SVU, and was a fan of the cartoon “Peanuts,” with Charlie Brown being her favorite. When bowling, Sally would always throw a strike if “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede was playing on the jukebox. She also had an extensive wardrobe of tie-dye shirts, shorts, and socks. If there was a wedding, graduation, holiday or party, you can bet Sally would be there, and she was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post 4168. And if the sun was out, you can bet Sally was sitting in it, often with her rescue dog, Scarlett, as she loved dogs of all kinds.
Sally was preceded in death by her grandmother, Nell “Nonnie” Ellis; her grandfather, James L. Ellis; her father, J.C. Ellis III; and mother, Barbara Connor.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Bridget Ellis Mattingly of Owensboro; brothers; James “Jimbo” Ellis of Owensboro, John Ford of Lebanon, Tennessee, and Brad Ford of LaVergne, Tennessee. Aunt Sally especially loved her nieces; Maggie, Casey, Annah, Shyann, Bayli, and Kendyl, and her nephews: Kolbe, Jack, and Colt. Aunt Sally was also proud of her new great-nephew, Kayson Mattingly.
The family wishes to thank Phyllis Siddon and her team from Feel the Love In-Home Healthcare and Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, Sandy Ball, and Amy Drake.
A celebration of life for Sally will be held at 4:00 pm Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of celebration.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sally’s honor can be made to Daviess County Animal Care via SAINT, Saving Animals In Need Together, 117 East 18th Street, #192, Owensboro, Kentucky 42303 or Venmo.com/saintcharityowensboro.
Memories and condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.glenncares.com