Mary Ellen Kelly Milligan

Mary Ellen Kelly Milligan, 78, of Little Rock, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2015, at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, holding the hand of her husband and best friend of 61 years, Harry Francis Milligan. Mary Ellen was born on November 29, 1937, to Andrew Reed Kelly and Bonnie Seymore in Batesville, Ark. At Cave City High School, she participated in activities from being the captain of the basketball team to singing in the sextet. She married Harry on November 13, 1954, in Batesville, where they raised two daughters, Lynda Beth Bauer (Mark) and Cara Frances Wade (Guy). She volunteered for any school activity that involved her two daughters and never missed a chance to cheer for the Batesville Pioneers. Mary Ellen was a member of West Baptist Church in Batesville until 1995, when she came to Little Rock to help take care of her first grandchild and never left. From that time on, she and Harry made Little Rock home and she was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She would proudly tell you that her greatest joy was raising "three fine grandsons" – Cooper (20), Carter (17), and Harrison Wade (16). Mary Ellen always had a great sense of humor and a giving heart and didn't want anyone to go out of their way for her. She was never shy about her faith and said daily that she was ready to live with Jesus. Mary Ellen loved her husband, her family, the Razorbacks, going to the Mall, weekly visits to her hair dresser, and the Sonic. But more than anything she loved Jesus and knew him as her Lord and Savior. Survivors also include her two sisters, Lorene Altman and Joyce Kelly; and two brothers, Russell and James Kelly. She was proceeded in death by her parents and two brothers, Gene and Paul Kelly. A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2015, in the Chapel at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, and a visitation at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Batesville at 2 p.m. that same day. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. A special thanks to the caregivers at Baptist Health and CARTI who fought right alongside her. And to her husband, Harry, who as Mary Ellen always said "could do anything" for his selfless love and indescribable devotion to who he described to the very end as "the most beautiful girl in Arkansas." Donations may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock Christian Academy, or Baptist Health Foundation. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501) 224-8300.