Ida Lou Amis Ellis Heard, age 98, of Ruston, Louisiana, was born on October 19, 1923, in Dalark, Arkansas to John Nelson Amis and Daisy Parker Bettis Amis. She departed this world on August 3, 2022. She was a long-time member of The First United Methodist Church and of the Rose Sunday School Class of Camden, Arkansas. Ida Lou married Joe Byng Ellis on May 20, 1939, and remained so until his death on January 23, 1990. Together, they owned and operated Ellis Grocery and later Ellis Pawn Shop in Camden, Arkansas, for over fifty years. She continued running the store after Joe's death until her retirement.

Soon after their marriage, Joe joined the Navy and was stationed in California. Lou eventually joined him, and they actually worked on the same ship. Upon his return, from World War II, Joe & Lou took over operation of the family grocery store on December 15, 1945. Joe became the Santa Claus for Camden for the next 37 years. Folks remarked over the years that if someone said, "Everybody who ever got a peppermint stick from Santa Claus at Joe Ellis Grocery, raise your hands"—and half of Camden would respond. They didn't have children of their own, but Joe and Lou loved and cared for many children during their lifetime.

On August 19, 1994, Lou married Marnice Dale Heard. They were together 17 years until his death June 20, 2011. On January 10, 2012, Lou moved to Ruston, Louisiana, to be near her niece and nephew, Barbara & Sonny Orren.

To the very end, Lou was always positive, upbeat, and happy to see anyone who dropped in to visit. She was an incredibly loving and affectionate person and always quick to notice if someone was in need. In recent years, Lou often remarked that she had lived a very good and full life, for which she was truly grateful. She often thought of her first love and would ask, "What do you think Uncle Joe would say?"

Lou was preceded in death by her parents and half-siblings on her father's side: Oma Esther Amis Tabor (Ernest), Queenie Pennington (Dale), Homer Earl Amis (Hattie), John Marshall Amis (Kathryn), and Harvey Wesley Amis; and half-siblings on her mother's side: Fannie Verneda Bettis, Mattie Geneva Bettis Elder (Harvey B), Doyle Bettis (Annie Clyde Lynn), Anna Mae Bettis Hope (Oscar L), and Victor Bettis (Vivian Oneda Eubanks). Also, she is preceded in death by nieces Margaret Sue Pennington Duty, Linda Diane Wilson Pennington, Jo Beth Amis Dowdell, Betty Wilson Amis, Hazel Amis Porter Bennett, Colene Bettis and Ludy Balmat.

Aunt Lou is survived by her nieces and nephews: Barbara Ann Pennington Orren (E.L. "Sonny"), Charles Edward Pennington, Douglas C. Duty, William Earl "Bill" Amis, John David Amis, Garlene Bettis Steelman, Bill Langley (Kathy) and George Balmat.

Thanks to The Arbor of Ruston and Alpine Skilled Nursing. And a special thank-you to Barbara Ann Kimble for her many years of love, care and friendship. Also a special thank-you to Barbara Ann Holyfield of Alpine for her compassionate love and care.

Funeral services will be held in the Chapel of Proctor Funeral Home, Camden, Arkansas at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 6, 2022. Preceding the service, visitation will be at 10:00 AM.