Obituary of Lou Ella Margaret Haynes

Lou Ella (Ellie) Haynes, age 84, a longtime resident of Gridley passed away on December 18, 2022, with her family by her side. Ellie was born and raised in San Jose, CA, where she attended Willow Glen High School and met and married her high school sweetheart, Phillip Haynes.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from San Jose State University in 1960 with a degree in early childhood education. She moved to Gridley in 1961 where her husband began farming. In addition to being a homemaker, she was the bookkeeper for their various farming operations and drove truck during walnut harvest. She was also active in the community: working as a teacher at Tiny Tot Preschool; serving several times as both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts leader; serving on the Biggs-Gridley Hospital Board; being a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for more than 30 years, serving as Career Center Counselor at Gridley High School, and volunteering with Women in Crisis in Chico.

Ellie was very much loved by all who knew her.  Her primary love and focus were always her family. She was an amazing mother and grandmother and a devoted wife.  She enjoyed anything involving her children and grandchildren, music, and traveling with her daughters, especially to Europe.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Phillip, and their three children, John Haynes of Marysville, Carol Haynes Smith (Douglas) of Fair Oaks and Julia Haynes McConaughy (Patrick) of Napa. She is also survived by five grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Robert V. and Ina Lotz, her brother Robert W. Lotz and her sister Nathalie (Sallee) Lotz.

A celebration of Ellie’s life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org or 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel.