Mary Ellen Cellan

Mary Ellen (Blondie) Brewer Cellan, 92, died Saturday at NHC Maury in Columbia. A graveside service is planned for Mary on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:30 at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home prior to the graveside service at Polk Memorial Gardens. Mary Ellen passed away on August 14, 2021. She was born May 24, 1929 in Red Bay, Alabama to Isom and Mamie Lou Rainey Brewer. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Columbia, TN. She was affectionately known as “Blondie” by her family and friends. A nickname given to her as a young girl by her sister. She was employed for many years at Edric Manufacturing Co. After her retirement she was a full-time caregiver for her mother. In 1995, she married Merle Cellan and moved to Soda Springs, Idaho where she spent many happy times with Merle and his family. She was a long time member of The First Church of the Nazarene in Columbia. Mary was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading her Bible and her morning devotionals. She was a faithful listener to the local radio news and especially the Pays to Listen radio program. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Terry Leon Church; daughter, Debby Heffington Parker; brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas W. and first wife Elizabeth and second wife Irene, Roscoe and wife Margaret, Curtis and wife Ola Mae, Franklin (Rosie) and wife Betty, sister and brother-in-law Bertha (Dozier) McGaw. She is survived by daughter-in-law Cheryl Powell Church of Columbia; Son-in-law Glenn Parker of Murfreesboro; Granddaughter Michelle Leonard of Columbia; Grandson, Chris Allen of Lewisburg; Great-granddaughters Chelsea and Ashley Leonard, Madison (Mason) Hobby; and Great-grandson Jonathan Leonard; special niece Betty Bowers, who helped with her care for over 20 years; special nephew and wife Wayne and Honor McGaw of Cumberland Furnace, TN; several other nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly; special neighbors Matt and Amanda Harness and special friend Donna Foster; Step children in Idaho, Sid Cellan, Bruce (Brenda) Cellan, Gilber (Janet) Cellan, Tami (Morris) Cole, Bonnie (Brent) Barfus and Debi (Michael) Fieseler; Several step-grandchildren in Idaho. Pallbearers will be Matt Harness, Kelly Powell, Glenn Parker, Wesley Powell, Scott Powell, Larry Brewer and Glenn Brewer. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at NHC Maury for all the excellent care given to Mary over the past several months.