Melinda Ruth (Hooten) Ellis of Hampton, CT, went to be with the Lord August 22, 2009. Melinda was born January 13, 1960 in Grapevine TX to the late Michael Hooten and Ruth Hooten Stafford. She has resided in Hampton since 1998 but remained a PROUD Texan. She loved attending Christian Fellowship Church in Scotland, CT. Melinda is survived by her devoted husband of 26 years Ron Ellis, their daughter Chelsea Ellis, their son Rob Ellis, her loving mother Ruth Hooten Stafford, her sister Marie Reeder, her brother Mike Hooten, her granddaughter Giahna Crespo-Ellis, many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. They all will miss her warm hugs, kisses, smiles, and laughter. While in Texas, Melinda attended the Glenview Baptist Church. She held a degree in Media Communications from Tarrant County Community College. She was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army from 1980-1983. Melinda enjoyed working at Regian & Wilson Advertising for 11 years in Fort Worth, TX and volunteering with Junior Achievement as well as North East Optimist youth baseball and softball programs. Melinda's greatest gift was her ability to make you feel loved. She loved her husband, family and friends unconditionally. She never met a stranger. Color and race were invisible to her. Her heartfelt hugs were given to all because she cared and wanted you to know that you mattered. She was happiest when her family and friends were together, laughing, and loving. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday Aug. 26th between 5:00 and 8:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 11:00am at Christian Fellowship Church, 140 Pudding Hill Rd. (Rte 97) ,Scotland, CT. Interment will follow in South Cemetery, Hampton. Memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund of Christian Fellowship Church, 140 Pudding Hill Rd., Scotland, CT 06264. For online memorial guestbook and directions to the funeral home, please visit
www.potterfuneralhome.com
.