Corine Ellis Memorial Scholarship

Growing up in the segregated, depression laden south, Corine Ellis didn’t have many opportunities to attain an education.  The daughter of a share cropper, she, like her eight (8) brothers and sisters, were unable to continue their educational pursuits beyond grammar school.  You see, during this time, many children were forced, out of economic necessity, to abandon the education that they so longed for to work in the fields so that the family could eat.  This was Corine’s story.  However, she never allowed her past life history to prevent her from continuing toward the future that she envisioned for herself and her family. 

Working first as a domestic cleaner with the Department of the Army, Corine learned that the key to success is faith in God, a positive attitude, and a willingness to work hard.  Undeterred, even when she was forced to retire due to physical incapacity, she continued working and serving the Southwest Washington community of James Creek as a teaching aide and tutor to “wayward” children.  Through non-traditional educational opportunities, Corine, at the age of 68, was able to complete courses that afforded her the privilege of training the very disadvantaged children that she once was.  She dedicated her life to these children and we honor her by commemorating an endowment in her honor and to fulfill her legacy.