Ella Marie Condra

Ella Marie Condra, age 86, of Ballinger passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at her residence.

Ella was born May 15, 1922 to Everett and Florence (Gray) Witter in Ballinger. She graduated from Ballinger High School in 1937. After marrying Doyle Condra, she worked for Dr. Chandler while her husband served in World War II. For many years Ella made custom doll clothes for Madame Alexander Dolls which she sold both at Loveless Toy Store in San Angelo and to the general public.

Ella was a historian, youth teacher, and elder at the First Presbyterian Church for many years. She was active in the PTA while her children were in school. Ella was also active in the Farm Bureau Queen Contest. While her husband was a state director of Farm Bureau, she traveled extensively throughout the world. Ella served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Texas Chapter of the American Lung Association. She was a lifelong member and activist of the Republican Party. Throughout her life, Ella had a love for art. She shared her talent with others through teaching well into her 80’s.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Melvin Witter.

Ella is survived by a daughter, Barbara Condra Johnson of Ballinger; a son, Gary Condra and wife, Betty, of Lubbock; and a sister Pauline Kopecky of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Also surviving are grandchildren, Ginger Ivie and husband, Marty, of Lovington, New Mexico; Clay Condra and wife, Christy, of Lubbock; Valerie Braswell and husband, Blake, of Bronte; and Merinda Condra of Lubbock; great-grandchildren, Tasha and Tracey Ivie, Kaitlyn and Marley and Tanner Braswell, Emma Condra, Hunter and Mallory Bothun, and Madison Condra.

There will be a time of visitation for family and friends on Friday, July 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Ballinger with Rev. Kary Rawlings officiating. Burial will follow in the Norwood Cemetery near Benoit. Serving as pallbearers will be Hugh Campbell, James Rose, Lee Campbell, Winton Milliff, Tom Sykes, Jimmy Crawford, and as honorary pallbearers, James Fowler and Alvin Spreen.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Ballinger or the American Lung Association.