Florine Ward Ellis, 85, of the 500 block of Kilby Shores Drive, Suffolk, passed away Friday, June 27, 2003, in Obici Hospital.

Born in Chowan County, N.C., she was a daughter of the late N. Robert and Annie Byrum Ward, and was the widow of Thomas A. Ellis.

Mrs. Ellis was a member of First Baptist Church, North Main Street, and was a homemaker.

She will be sadly missed by her loving family, which includes one daughter, Jane Ellis Cowan, and husband, Dr. David N. Cowan, of Silver Spring, Md.; one son, Mark Thomas Ellis, and wife, Pamela, of Amarillo, Texas; her sister, Miriam W. Lawrence of Suffolk; four beloved grandchildren, Virginia Anne, Alexander Hopkins Cowan, Lauren Ashley, and Matthew Ryan Ellis; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29, in the Sidney F. Harrell Chapel of Harrell and Hill Funeral Home, by Dr. David Chauncey. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Friends may join the family from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, and at the home of her sister, Miriam Lawrence, 310 Edward Ave., Suffolk, following the committal.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Virginia, 53549 E. Princess Anne Rd., Norfolk, Va. 23502.