Ellen 'Louise' Betts-Hemphill-Gannon, 72

MILLSBORO - Ellen "Louise" Betts-Hemphill-Gannon of Millsboro passed peacefully into the hands of her Lord, surrounded by the love of her family, on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. She was 72.

Louise was born to Ellen Parker Matlack and Louder Sapp Betts of Frederica on Jan. 22, 1935.

She was greeted by loved ones that had passed before her and she will be greatly missed by those who remain behind.

Louise was a lifetime member of the Frederica United Methodist Church and active in the Long Neck United Methodist Church.

She passionately supported various children and veterans organizations.

Louise was many things to many people during her life. She was a daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Her strong spirit, warm heart, compassion, honesty, humor, poetry and love touched all, and many of her loved ones deeply.

Louise is survived by her husband of 31 years, Mitchell Robert "Bob" Gannon Jr. of Millsboro; her daughters, Eva Kay Morris and Theresa Ellen Roberts-Biener and her husband Gregory of Millsboro; her sons, William Joseph Hemphill of Bellingham, Wash., Steven Michael Hemphill and his wife Nicole of Felton and William Wesley Hemphill II of Millsboro; brother, Benjamin Betts and his wife Ruth of Frederica; sister, Naomi Tribbitt of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Ann Gannon of Millsboro; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; four nieces; eight nephews; and numerous cousins.

A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Louise's memory to Delaware Hospice, Southern Division, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Tunnell Cancer Center, 18941 John J. Williams Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.