Ellen was born and lived in Anderson all her life with the exception of three years during World War II. Then her family moved to Panama City where her father worked as a welder in a shipyard. She and her family moved back to Anderson and Ellen graduated from Anderson High School in 1952. Ruth Whitfield was Ellen’s friend all through Junior and High School. Both were active in school sports and also, after they were married. Ellen married her high school sweetheart and has been blessed with four daughters and six grandchildren.
With the encouragement of Ruth Whitfield, Ellen started open bowling in 1962. She became a sanctioned bowler in 1964. Also, was elected to the Anderson WBA Board of Directors, serving first as a director, Sgt-At-Arms, 1st Vice President and as President for three years. Ellen was instrumental in forming the bowlettes league which is still bowling at AMF Anderson Lanes.
In 1970 Ellen and Family moved to Greenville. She was able to bowl for only a year there because of illness in her family. While living there, she formed the Playgirls league, which is still bowling today. Then, in the year of 1974 the family moved to Columbia. She became very active in the Columbia WBA.
Ellen was elected to the Columbia WBA Board of Directors soon after moving to Columbia. She was very fortunate in having the endorsement and guidance of Laura Browne, Ruth Whitfield, Vera Harris, Janice Johnson and Barbara Payment, as she became more involved in the administrative aspect of bowling.
After moving to Columbia, Ellen became friends with Shirley Wessinger, CWBA Secretary and 1st Vice President of SCWBA. She has worked many state tournaments with Shirley, when the work was done manually, without the aid of computers. Ellen was elected to the SCWBA Board of Directors in 1983. She was helpful to J.C. Williamson in forming the Seven Point Scratch league at Major League Lanes in Columbia. This league is also still bowling.
Ellen is currently 1st Vice President of the Columbia WBA, director on the SCWBA Board of Directors and a Southeastern Tournament Director. She has served all SCWBA committees and has served as chairperson on the South Carolina Jamboree, nominating, calendar, senior tournament, state championship tournament, legislative and awards committees. She has served on and chaired all Columbia WBA committees. She has served as State and National Delegate for many years.
Ellen says the highlights of her bowling years have been bowling on state handicap and scratch championship teams, local championship teams and to have been the Greenville WBA Singles Champion the last year living in Greenville. Also, it was a thrill bowling with my oldest daughter in the SCWBA Championship Tournament. Ellen also states “This is one of the greatest thrills and honors of my life being inducted into the SCWBA Hall of Fame.”
Ellen is a grand addition to the “Pioneer” lineup in the South Carolina WBA Hall of Fame.
