FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Martha Ellen Ginn,

age 87, of Fort Lauderdale, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020, in the comfort of her home with her loving and devoted son, David, by her side. Born in Exeter, Mo., on March 20, 1933, Ellen was the daughter of the late William Boyce and Nora Alberta (Edens) Neighbors.

Ellen was united in marriage to James Carroll Ginn, who passed away on May 3, 2019. She is survived by her son, David Carroll Ginn, MD, of Fort Lauderdale; siblings Donna Turnipseed of Alma, Ark., Pauline Roberts of Franklin, N.C., and Sue Steele of Pocola, Okla.; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings Mary Clements of Tulsa, Okla., Opal Spencer of Smithfield, Va., Mildred Peak and Larry Neighbors, both of Fort Smith, Ark., and Billie Nolan of Hackett, Ark.

One of nine children, Ellen moved to Fort Smith, Ark., as a young girl and graduated from high school there. She did office work for an insurance company and an automotive parts company for several years after her graduation. She met James Ginn while he was serving in the Army, and they were married in 1953.

After David was born in 1958, she became a full-time homemaker. She moved to Bentonville, Ark., in 1976, and helped James raise beef cattle on their farm. Her focus was always on her family, and she was blessed to have celebrated her 65th wedding anniversary in November 2018. She and David were fortunate to enjoy the last 15 months of her life together at his Florida home, where she enjoyed the ocean views, sunsets, and warm winter weather.

Ellen enjoyed cooking, reading books and newspapers, gardening of both flowers and food, movies, baseball, basketball, football, and working puzzles. She was active in church and enjoyed studying her Bible. She loved her pets — dogs, cats, plus naming all of the cattle on the farm! Ellen shared in the family love of travel and visited 46 states plus Canada and Mexico. Her tireless dedication and love for James and David will be forever cherished.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home, 4061 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A private service was held on July 15.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the American Heart Association. Online tributes at: www.kraeerfairchild.com