Ellen Loraine Pye

After 97 years, Ellen Loraine Francis Pye of Hanahan, South Carolina, completed her life's journey on Friday, October 9, 2015. Her Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in Saint John Catholic Church, 3921 St. John's Avenue at 12:00 p.m. Interment, St. Lawrence Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel.

Ellen was born on August 25, 1918 in Charleston, SC, the first daughter to the late David Alexander Francis and Minnie Lou Crosby Francis.

As a young student, Ellen's ailing mother became an invalid, unable to take care of her family. Ellen had to leave Bishop England School to take on the responsibility of being the homemaker for her father, three brothers and sister. At the age of 14, she met her future husband, the late George Leon Pye, Sr. They were married on January 28, 1938.

During World War II, she worked briefly as an insurance agent and later as a librarian assistant, where she learned to repair book covers. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. Her greatest love was family and being a homemaker. She taught her children the gift of faith and to put God first in their lives. She was a member of Divine Redeemer Church in Hanahan and a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Charleston Chapter 4.

She is survived by four children, Frances Leona Brewer, Helen Pye Lovett (Jim), James "Jimmy" Pye (Bea), and Edward Michael Pye. Being a Beloved Grandmother, she leaves behind 19 grandchildren: Thea Brewer Taylor, Allison Brewer Caison, John Brewer, Tim Pye, William "Billy" Oltmann IV, Gregg Oltmann, Travis Oltmann, Ellen Lori Rucker Ard, Charlie Rucker, Wendy Rucker Bazzle, Cindy Rucker, Marie Rucker Smith, Fonda Pye Jordan, Jamie Pye, John Pye, Bryan (Shorty) Pye, Susan Godbee Pritchard, David Godbee, and Tommy Godbee; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Leon, Ellen was preceded in death by four children, John Lewis Pye, George L. Pye, Mary Pye Rucker, and Judy Pye Godbee; brothers, William Francis, J. D. Francis, and Alex Francis; her sister, Minnie Crosby Gonsalves; son-in-law, Alfred Brewer; and daughter-in-law, Noni Hines Pye.

Our Mother's life was with a purpose. She had the strength of character and a firm belief that through hard work and perseverance, she could achieve anything. But within and beyond all of this, she was our precious Mom, the one who raised us and influenced us the most. We can only hope she knew we loved and appreciated her and she was our hero.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association SC Chapter, 2090 Executive Hall Road, Suite 130, Charleston, SC 29407.