Frankie Ellis Wade
MEMPHIS - Frankie Ellis Wade born February
13, 1943 to Sue Bibb Ellis and U. Cato Ellis, Sr. of Munford, TN, passed away peacefully September
7th, 2023 with her family by her side.
Growing up in Munford, surrounded by her extended family, she was an active member of Munford First United Methodist Church, FHA, and was crowned Miss Munford in 1958. She graduated Salutatorian from Munford High School and followed in her mother’s footsteps to study Home Economics at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. After having two children as an army wife, Frankie returned to Knoxville to raise her family and was a member of Bearden United Methodist Church. She later attended law school at UTK. She became a lifelong VOL fan and was an early and avid Lady Vols supporter.
Frankie began her career in law in 1978 as the only female lawyer at Ambrose, Wilson, and Grimm in Knoxville. Before long she wanted to be the boss, started her own firm, became a well-respected family law attorney, and served her profession as an active member of both the TN Board of Professional Responsibility and the Tennessee Bar Association. She was a champion of other women lawyers and an enthusiastic UT Law Alumni. She never missed a chance to vote and was a proud delegate to the platform committee of the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
A generous leader, Frankie supported many organizations. Most recently she served as President of the Trezevant Resident Association Council. Other past roles include Board Chair of the UT Alliance of Women Philanthropist, President of the Executive Women’s Association (Knoxville), Board member of Jackson Madison County Boys and Girls Club, and also various capacities at Idlewild Presbyterian Church and Christ Methodist. At Trezevant she was known for welcoming new residents and spearheading initiatives such as the Idlewild chapel service and a voter registration drive. Always ready for a new adventure, Frankie liked to follow her father’s advice and “never return the way you came.” She explored the world with her sister Jo, children, grandchildren, and Lady Vols friends. Her love of family inspired large gatherings at the various homes she designed, each built with entertaining in mind. In the last few years, she forged strong relationships with her “Zoom group” at Trezevant, even sneaking over to share strawberry shortcake now and then.
Frankie will be remembered for her independent spirit, fierce determination, and generosity of heart. Her loss will be felt deeply by her family and all the communities with which she was connected. Preceded in death by her parents and sister Clara Jo Billings and Brotherin-law Harold Billings, her survivors include her children Dwight Robert Wade, III, and Holly Wade (Greg Everett), grandchildren Bill Kelly and Kat Kelly, brother U. Cato Ellis, Jr. (Anna), nieces Jennifer Wyllie (Russ), Wynn Robinson, Erin Avery (Chris), nephew Christopher Ellis (Paige), and many beloved cousins, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Frankie Ellis Wade Scholarship Endowment at the University of Tennessee. This scholarship provides an opportunity for a former Lady Vol student-athlete to pursue a Law Degree at the University of Tennessee. Please make checks payable to the University of Tennessee Foundation and send to the following address: University of Tennessee, Attn: Andrea Piercy, 635 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996, Phone: 865-974-8496.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, September 15, 2023 at 10:00am at Idlewild Church, 1750 Union Ave. Memphis, TN. A reception will follow at the church. Please wear your UT orange!