Ellen Marshall Shannon was born in Sumter, SC on November 15, 1949. She died unexpectedly in her home in Conyers, GA on September 20, 2017. She was preceded in death by her father, Earle Shannon and mother, Marguerite Shannon of Charlotte.

She graduated from Garinger High School and then St. Andrews Presbyterian College where she received an English degree in 1971. She went on to earn her Masters Degree in Counseling at UNCC. She had a lifelong career in the US Social Security Administration, retiring in 2010. She was a gifted writer who researched and wrote decisions for people requesting disability assistance.

She traveled back to Charlotte when she could and especially enjoyed gathering for family Thanksgivings with her aunt and cousins. When her mother's health declined, she called her every evening and made sure that she knew when special shows and UNC basketball games were televised. She was a devoted dog owner and enjoyed her English Mastiffs. Her Christian faith sustained her throughout her life.

She is survived by her sister, Virginia Shannon Freund (John), niece Anna Marshall Freund, aunt, Marie Marshall Thomasson and cousins, Susan (John) Marshall, Jane (Jim) Gordon, Carl (Susan) Thomasson, and Alice (Phil) Thomasson.

Because of her love of time spent with her extended family in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southeast Virginia, her memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 19 in the Turner-Duncan family cemetery in Laurel Fork, Virginia. Family and friends may meet at 12:15 at the Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady funeral home in Hillsville, VA and ride in procession to the graveside service.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.