Ellen Ray Barnes Rooney

Ellen Ray Barnes Rooney, 86, born September 21, 1930 in Charleston, joined her Lord in heaven during the early hours of Friday, January 6, 2017 at her home in Edgewater Park with her husband of 68 years, Art close by. Ellen had a passion for her family of three children, Arthur Jr (Helen), Deborah Goulding (Fritz) and Donna Vordale (Dan), nine grandchildren Arthur Rooney, III (Debbie), Elizabeth Shimp, Gordon Rooney (Emily), Russell Rooney, Ashley Fisher (Michael), Lauren Cotter (Kevin), Daniel Vordale (Karen), Lisa Cordes (Mark) and Kelly West (Jake) and thirteen great grand children Caroline, William, Patrick, and Erinn Rooney, Noah, Hunter, Zachary, and Jacob Shimp, Sadie Ellen and Christopher Fisher, and Winslow West, Paxton Cordes, and Donovan Vordale. Ellen was an active member of Ashley River Baptist Church for over 60 years. Ellen sang with her church choirs including their prison ministry. She was a regular visitor at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals where she sang for patients. She loved traveling with her husband in their motor home, visiting all 48 states. She was a stay at home mom until she took the LPN course at Roper Hospital at age 40 and began a career in nursing. In addition to her active church roles, including volunteering in the children’s Sunday school department, she had many interests during her lifetime including attending sporting events with her husband, quilting, crocheting, yard work, reading and even joining Art on fishing trips and many rounds of golf. A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Ashley River Baptist Church. Visitation will begin an hour prior to the service in the sanctuary at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407, Alzheimer’s Association, 2090 Executive Hall Rd, Suite 130, Charleston, SC 29407, or Roper St Francis Hospice, 1483 Tobias Gadson Blvd, Suite 208-A, Charleston, SC 29407. All were a great aid during recent days as was the unconditional love and care given by Ginny White from Home Instead.