Emily Ella Mae Chapman Wade, 88 of Elizabethtown, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at her home. Ella Mae was born on a small farm on March 15, 1935. She had a twin brother, Ray and two older brothers Hershel and Junior. Her parents both worked on the farm and she learned early how to prepare meals for the family. After graduating from high school she attended Bethel College for two years. Her parents wanted her to stay close to home but she had bigger dreams in mind. She went to the University of Kentucky and majored in Home Economics. She met her husband, Bob, at a dance in UK's old gym and they married the next year on June 14 1958. She went with her husband to Champaign Illinois where she taught Home Economics. The couple returned to Glendale where Bob began farming while she taught Home Economics. Their first son, Bob Jr., was born in 1960. She then dedicated herself as a full time Mom. She subsequently had two more sons, Steve and Tom. She raised her sons to be polite and caring young men. She also had an artistic flair; she helped restore a historic 100 year old house. She enjoyed china painting, canoeing, and entertaining friends. She was actively engaged in farming in Hardin County, was on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky State Soil Conservation Districts where she was on the scholarship committee and was the former President, Vice President and Secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary. Ella Mae was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher, bible school coordinator, editor of their first church directory, and a Deacon. She was a member of the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce, a graduate of Leadership Elizabethtown and coordinated the Heartland Festival Canoe Race for 13 years. She was formerly on the Board of Directors of the Hardin County Extension Office, was a member of the Glendale Homemakers, was selected as State Master Farm Homemaker in 1983, a member of the Lincoln Trail China Painters Guild, the Historic Society, the Audubon Club and was Chairman of the Board of the Elizabethtown Community Advisory Board as well as many other organizations in Hardin County. After retiring she enjoyed her eight grandchildren who knew her as Mama Wade. She will be missed by all her friends and family. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Glendale Christian Church with Bro. Mike Bell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home and continue from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at Glendale Christian Church. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Hosparus or CKCF. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Visitation:

Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Brown Funeral Home

Friday, February 2, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Glendale Christian Church

Service:

Friday, February 2, 2024 starting at 11:00 AM
Glendale Christian Church