"Grace" Antonia Alta Gracia Yanez Garcia Ellis was 93 when she moved on from this world on January 20, 2026, in Texarkana, Texas. Grace was born in Big Spring, Texas to Delfina Yanez Garcia and Rafael Garcia on April 16, 1932.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Willis Ellis Sr. She will also be reuniting with her brother Ralph Garcia (Josie), sister Delfina Perez (Jose), sister Lucy Clarke (Bill), brother Chon Garcia (Rosa), sister Trinidad Clayton (Alfred Bill) and granddaughter Christina Ellis.

She will continue to live through her brother G.G. Garcia (Delma), sister Polly Martinez, son Willis Ellis Jr. (Deborah), daughter Della Ellis, daughter Dr. Theresa McDonald (Dr. Charles), son Tony Ellis and many nieces and nephews. Grace's legacy will continue with her grandchildren Samuel Salomon (Alisha), Roger Bartley Jr. (Megan), Dorothy Ellis and Willis Ellis III. She will help influence the next generation through her great grandchildren Draven, Zoe, Syhara, Paislee, and Serenity.

Grace was adventurous and loved her family. She would combine these two passions in her life by taking trips with family or visiting family. We can still hear Mom and Aunt Lucy talking through the wee hours of the night even after a long drive to Big Spring. The next day we would run into so many different relatives – maybe she was related to half the town. She loved telling stories about the places. She started with the most positive outlook on the different places. One story was working as an elevator operator in the Big Spring Hotel Settles or at the hospital sterilizing everything from blankets to instruments. She valued education and celebrated every graduation of family and friends. Another story is when Grace had Della go to her high school graduation instead of going to an Alice Cooper concert. And she wanted everyone to know that Theresa had a doctorate. In her honor, Theresa started a college scholarship for Hispanics.

When she wasn't traveling, Grace was treasuring her time with her spiritual family in the house of God. As much as she loved her family adventures, her spiritual adventure was just as important. She was a member of a Baptist Hispanic church. She was often heard saying that she helped raise two of the preachers - Juan and Eladio Puente. Grace's spirit was so bright and filled with joy. Her laughter was contagious. She never met a stranger on her spiritual adventure.

Grace was deeply involved with her four children. In Bessie, Oklahoma, she was a leader for Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She also was a 4H Club leader in Phoenix, Arizona. She was involved in selling Salad master cookware, Mary Kay cosmetics, Tupperware, and Avon to help provide for her children. In Texarkana she was a part of Westlawn School PTA. As her children got older in school, Grace began her journey touching the lives of many in Texarkana starting at Highland Park School, then to Pine Street Middle School, and on to Texas High School, followed by Wadley Regional Medical Hospital. Grace eventually retired from Wadley but couldn't sit still. She continued to touch even more lives at the Pleasant Grove Schools. She decided she still wasn't done and finished her illustrious career at Texarkana College Food Service.

Grace was a powerful soul and always looked for the best in everyone. It made you want to do for her. Willis Jr. stayed with her every night for the last three years. Tony was across the street if she needed him. The girls took shifts during the day for her comfort and care. She was the most loving and sweetest woman who in her younger days sported pink hair and car to match and gave us these words of wisdom as we were growing up:

"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

"Do something! Right or wrong. And if it's wrong, fix it"

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to be made to the Randy Sams' Outreach Shelter, Inc.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Texarkana Funeral Home - Texas. Burial will follow at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at the Texarkana Funeral Home - Texas.