Helen Ellison, a beloved and well-known groundskeeper at ACU for 33 years, died this month at age 78.

Ellison was born to Oscar and Emma Lee Ellison of San Antonio on May 15, 1933, and died on Oct. 9, 2011. Ellison lived her life intellectually disabled and was placed in Austin State School at a young age. She came to Abilene in 1968 and lived at Marbridge House for Women, where she developed life skills for living independently.

Ellison worked for ACU in dormitory maintenance and groundskeeping. There she found her way into the hearts of many students and faculty for two generations. In the fall of 1991, she was named an honorary member of Ko Jo Kai by members of that social club and was honored by the city of Abilene on Nov. 19, 2001, which was named Helen Ellison Day. She retired from the university ten years ago but remains in the memories of many faculty, staff and alumni.

Sarah Burrow, ACU alumna from Hurst, invited Ellison to her home for many holiday breaks and remembers Ellison for her attitude.

“She gave a good example of living like Christ. She was giving and gracious,” Burrow said.

A memorial service for Ellison took place on Oct. 13 at University Church of Christ. Ellison was a member of the church and attended regularly.

Brent Isbell, minister at UCC, gave the opening remarks at the memorial service.

“She probably knew more people on campus than anyone else,” Isbell said, “because she was genuinely interested in you.”

Dr. Royce Money, president for ACU 1991-2010 and current chancellor of ACU, provided the obituary and memorial message at the service.

“Most of you remember Helen by her beautiful smile, cheerful and positive outlook on life, and her familiar ‘I love you,'” Money said.

Money shared many stories and quotes from Ellison at the memorial. Money remembered countless occasions when Ellison stopped him as he rushed through campus.

“After our brief encounters, all of my priorities would be rearranged back to what they were supposed to be,” Money said. “I would be blessed by God.”

Ellison was given many awards by the faculty, staff and students. She was awarded the Service Award in 1988 and the Unsung Servant Award in 1997 and was honored with a retirement event in 2001. The students voted Ellison to be one of the grand marshals of the 1999 Homecoming Parade.

Ellison was remembered in the memorial for her loving attitude. Money quoted her in the final words of his speech.

“I love everybody,” Money recalls Ellison saying. “That’s what God wants us to do, isn’t it?”