95 years old, originally from Southfield, Michigan on December 7, 2022 in West Bloomfield, Michigan, after a successful life as an educator and mentor, he transitioned into this life. Sophia was born on January 30, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Major Quincy and Ethel Lee (née Jones) Holly. She set her goal early on to attend the University of Michigan. When she graduated from Northern High School in Detroit, she was awarded a full McGregor Foundation scholarship, and in 1949 she graduated from U of M where she earned a BA in Biology and German. In 1950 she received her master’s degree in botany from the U of M and a master’s degree in German. She earned her teaching certificate in 1949 and her 1953. Lyle Her Fellowship, granted in 1955–56, funded trips to Russia, the Nordic countries, Spain, England, France, Germany, and Austria. She married James T. Ellis at Mariner’s Church in February 1968, she moved to Oxnard, California to receive military training, and she moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts at Harvard Law School. . The couple gained two children into their union. John Thomas and Holly Elizabeth. Her 56-year career in teaching included elementary and middle school, which ended in 2006, and Martin Her Luther King Her Junior High School. For her work in the reunification of Germany after World War II and in promoting the German language and culture in 1995, Sofia was awarded the Bundes Verdienstkreuz Distinguished Service Cross by the Federal Republic of Germany. She was most happy when International Visitors Her Council, US Department of State. She started an exchange program with German schools hosted by German families in Cologne and Berlin, and some of her DPS students found summer travel to Europe to be an exciting experience. Sophia founded the Holly Her Ellis Scholarship Fund at her U of M at the College of Letters, Sciences and Arts (LS&A) to encourage funding to help minority students pursue their educational goals. increase. Sophia was killed first by Major Quincy Holly. Ethel Lee Holly; Siblings: Major Quincy Holly Jr.; Harold Faris Holly. Oscar Oswell Holly; sister: Mary Finley Lowes Burns; and a cousin: Ethel Bray. Memorial surviving children: John T. Ellis and Holly E. (Todd) Wright, grandchildren: Elizabeth, Elaina, and Ethan. Siblings: Melvin J. Holly (Verna). Jesse L. Reader. And Thelma E. Mason, and many nephews, nieces, select family members and dear friends around the world. Visits are Monday, January 9, 2023, 12:00-6:00 PM and Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 12:00-6:00 PM, Tyus-Fields Funeral home, 10050 Joy Road, Detroit , is scheduled for MI. Family Hour: Plymouth United Congregational Church of Christ, 600 E. Warren Ave, Detroit, Michigan, Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 10:00 am to 10:50 am. Service: 11:00 am Incarceration at Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan Donations to the Memorial can be made to the Sophia Holly Ellis Scholarship Fund: https://donate.umich.edu/88DO2 or the Victor J. Tulane Reed Scholarship Fund https:/ /leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/701504
Posted online on January 7, 2023
Published in The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press