Ellen Irene Basham, 60, passed on December 30, 2022. She was born May 23rd, 1962, to Gary and E. Iona Boone in Galesburg, Illinois.
She married the love of her life, Todd Basham, on January 16, 1982. Together they have two beautiful adult children, Tim and Virginia; and their Granddaughter, who is their pride and joy, Cheyenne.
Ellen has one sister, Crystal, and two brothers, Jon (and Crissy) Boone of Galesburg, IL and Michael Boone of Texas. She has many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and Hip-Huggers as well. She was preceded in death by her father and sister.
Ellen grew up in the First Church of the Nazarene where she participated in church choir, Sunday school and various other activities. Ellen graduated from Galesburg High School in 1980. After high school, Ellen attended Olivet University for one year, she married Todd and moved with him to Abilene, Texas. Todd was enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed there at Dyess Air Force Base. She enrolled at McMurry College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. During her time at McMurry, she was a full-time student and became a mother to their son, Tim. She and Todd attended the Dyess Base Chapel for years and they later became active members of Trinity Baptist Church in Abilene. Ellen and Todd made friends and loved their church family there as well.
Ellen loved her family and friends from both sides of their families. Ellen was employed at Temple Christian School in Perris, TX for many years. Their next assignment and move was to March Air Force Base near Riverside, California. As Todd continued with his Air Force career, Ellen continued her education to become certified in California. The family were active members of Canyon Lake Community Church in Canyon Lake. While the family was in the area of March AFB., Ellen became a mother to their daughter, Virginia. Five years later after they moved to the area Todd, was reassigned to Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, California. Ellen was employed by Vacaville Unified School District. Ellen and her family lived in Vacaville until her death. Ellen served her community for over 37 years as an elementary teacher. When Ellen and her family have been out and about in the local community, young adults have come up to her and asked if she was “Mrs. B”, when she answered them, they asked her if they could give her a big hug. She of course always let them. They would tell her often that she was a favorite teacher. She called the children “her little hip huggers”.
Graveside service is scheduled for Friday, March 17th. at 1:30pm at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon. All are invited to honor Ellen there. Please contact McCune Garden Chapel in Vacaville for further information.
