Ellen Kaye Bankston McAnally

Ellen Kaye Smith McAnally, formerly of Terrell, passed away on March 18, 2022. Ellen was born April 16, 1947 in Terrell to Melvin and Mary Ruth (Mosley) Smith, both of whom greeted her in Heaven along with her son, Vincent Bankston. Ellen Kaye was a 1965 Terrell High School graduate after which she went on to attend cosmetology school earning her license as a beautician. She was a well-known hair dresser for many years in Terrell with a loyal clientele. She owned several salons and worked at others including Charmode. Over the years, Ellen Kaye is credited for helping every woman in the community look her very best for not only special events but just to help them look as beautiful as they felt! Ellen also worked as a realtor in the Tyler area helping many people and families choose the perfect home. Her personality and smile was always a wonderful hallmark of her personality both in her professional and personal life and she had many customers become valued friends over the years. Ellen Kaye was being a devoted mother and, later, grandmother to her precious children and their children. She had a heart as big as the sky and she enjoyed spoiling her family as well as her beloved cat, Suzy. Ellen Kaye’s cooking was legendary and she could, and would, prepare fantastic dishes of any type of food. She could cook anything with her specialty being enchiladas, ribs and fried chicken, all made from scratch and with love. She also loved to play bingo and she truly enjoyed the spirited competition as the letters were called and, hopefully, with her yelling, “Bingo!” to win whatever prize. She moved to Mt. Vernon later in her life to be closer to family where she looked forward to taking care of them each day by listening, spending time and cooking for them. A beautiful woman, inside and out, Ellen Kaye will never be forgotten by all whose lives she touched. She is survived by her daughter, Katrina Nickolson and husband, Jeffrey, of Mt. Vernon; son, Kyle Bankston of Hondo, TX; grandchildren: Haley Jetton and huband, Shawn, Dillon Nickolson, Mikayla Marlowe, Keeley Nickolson, Courtney Bellah, Tiffani Bankston, Lauren Bankston, Jaymes Scroggins and Jarrett Bankston; 11 great grandchildren; brother, Buddy Smith and wife, Kathy, of Kaufman as well as other extended family and many friends, all of whom will miss Ellen Kaye dearly. Funeral service will be at 2:00pm, Friday, March 25, 2022 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at Oakland Memorial Park. Her family will receive friends 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Thursday, March 24, at the funeral home.

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Ellen Kaye Bankston McAnally

April 16, 1947 - March 18, 2022