Mary Cornelia “Doodles” Elliott Ferriss died Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the Senatobia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Senatobia, MS. Doodles was born June 24, 1924, in Yazoo City, MS to Ruth Bardwell Elliott and Joseph Harry Elliott. She was proud to be a fifth generation Yazooan.
Doodles was a 1942 graduate of Yazoo City High School. She attended Belhaven College for two years before transferring to the University of Mississippi where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1946. She was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority at Ole Miss.
Doodles married Philip Reed Ferriss of Bentonia, MS in 1948. They were married 69 years until his death in 2017. Doodles was a life member of First Presbyterian Church Yazoo City and a long-time active member of the Women in the Church Ministry. She was a life member of Junior Auxiliary, the Yazoo Garden Club and an active member in several bridge and luncheon clubs in Yazoo City.
Doodles was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth Bardwell Elliott and Joseph Harry Elliott, husband Philip Reed Ferriss, brother, Joseph Bardwell Elliott, daughter, Marion Ferriss Crumplar Survivors include daughter, Elizabeth (Betty) Ferriss Brown (Bill), son-in-law Tom Crumplar, grandchildren, Ruth Crumplar Whitmire (Will), Davy Crumplar (Sarah), Ferriss Brown (Abbie), great-grandchildren, namesake Cornelia (Neely) Elliott Whitmire, Annie Raines Whitmire, John Parker Crumplar, Charles David Crumplar, Adelaide Louise (Weezie) Brown, and several nieces and nephews.
All who knew Doodles loved her well and will have a special memory of her! She was a delight and always ready to share a funny life experience and story. She loved her family well and enjoyed cooking for them for any occasion. Her meals and recipes were legendary.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, MS, and all arrangements will be entrusted to Stricklin King Funeral Home. A memorial service will be announced and held at a later date. Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, Yazoo City, MS, Palmer Home for Children, or French Camp Academy.
