Ellen Conger

Ellen Gray Conger, age 89, of Columbus, GA. died Friday, January 23, 2009, at her residence. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Columbus with burial to be held 3:00 P.M. at the Oak City Cemetery in Bainbridge, GA. A visitation will be held Sunday from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA. Ellen Gray Conger was born June 1, 1919 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Jasper Delaughter Gray and Lura Morgan Gray. She lived in Bainbridge, GA until she left to attend Weslyan College and the University of Colorado, where she graduated in 1940. Ellen also attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she earned a Masters degree in Speech/Drama in 1942. Ellen lived in Columbus from 1950 until her death. She was active in Columbus Little Theatre and the Springer Theatre. She enjoyed her roles at the Springer and valued her many friendships within the theatre community. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member and was ordained as the first woman Elder. She was also a member of the Country Club of Columbus, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Society, and was a trustee of the Springer Theatre. Mrs. Conger was also an avid gardener and lover of roses. Mrs. Conger is survived by two sons, John Gray Conger of Columbus,GA and William Reece Conger of Daphne, AL; two grandchildren, Ann Gray Conger and Hannah Reece Conger; and a brother, Jack Gray, Jr. of Bainbridge, GA. The family wishes to acknowledge the kind and loving care of her good friend Emma Torbert. Funeral arrangements by: Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Macon Road Chapel 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907 Tel: (706) 563-2372