Mary “Ellen” Moss Zimmerman, age 81, of Joplin, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Joplin Healthcare, following an illness.
Ellen was born on June 5, 1926 in Herford, Tx., the daughter of the late T.D. “Dock” Moss and Hazel Hurley Moss Miller. She graduated from Perryton High school in 1943. She entered nurses training at Research hospital in Kansas City, Mo. and graduated as a Registered Nurse in1946.
Ellen married her high school sweetheart, Joe Bob Zimmerman, after his return from over-seas with the Army Air Force. They were married in Pampa, Texas on July 5, 1945. She worked in surgery at the old Freeman hospital for several years. She also worked for Dr. Erwin Craig for several years. She served as president of the 5th District Registered Nurses Association in the 1960’s and was a member of the Missouri State Disaster Committee. She was a member of the First Christian Church where she served as an Elder and was a member of the Loyal Partners Sunday School Class. Ellen went over seas in 1968 with her husband to the country of East Pakistan. During this time Ellen served as temporary nurse for the US Embassy, teaching a student nursing class at Holy Family Hospital in East Pakistan. She took oil painting lessons from a local artist, and painting became her main hobby. One of Ellen’s greatest experiences was meeting Mother Teresa at Holy Family hospital in Dacca, East Pakistan.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Bob Zimmerman; a daughter, Stacy L. Harrison, Joplin; one granddaughter, Kristy Harrison, Tahlequah, Ok.; two grandsons, Joe B. Harrison and wife Lori, New Port Richey, Florida, and Kurtis Harrison, Tahlequah, Ok. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Cheryl Haulton.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Fred Pugh, Minister, will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Bob Cable, Claude Jones, Rex Henry, Jim Wells, Jim Owen, and Jim Price.
The family will receive friends 2-3 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Chapel.