Ellen Martin Coe, Pensacola native, Ellen Martin Coe, died peacefully on January 21, 2010 of complications related to Alzheimers disease. She was 78. Married for over 50 years to James Mansfield Coe, she was a lifelong member and elder of First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola. Ellens special gift was a zest for life and a generosity of spirit. She was an encouraging and joyful person, which made life with Ellen full of fun. Ellen was born on May 9, 1931, the third and youngest child of Robert Gordon and Ellen Adair (Roberts) Martin. She bonded with a close group of girl friends at P K Yonge Elementary, then came of age with them through A V Clubbes Jr. High and Pensacola High School. Many of those remained her lifelong friends. She brought her special smile to Mary Baldwin College in Virginia, and then graduated from LSU where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She taught English at Pensacola High School for one year before her marriage in 1954. After having four children, she returned to learning beyond the classroom. As a student of her faith, she honed her ability as a Bethel Bible leader and through her involvement with Presbyterian Women. She was in demand as a Circle leader throughout her life, and was awarded the Presbyterian Women Lifetime Award of Excellence in 1996. She organized and led the Great Books initiative for Escambia County, and enjoyed her Book Baggers group for many years. Her keen intellect and quick wit kept her engaged and curious, and she played an excellent hand of bridge. As a native of Pensacola and a descendent of several prominent families who had settled this area, Ellen had a sense of place. Her love and enthusiasm for northwest Florida gave her a special zeal as a community booster. She was a charter member of the Junior Service League of Pensacola, then 15 years later served as President -- the year the JSL officially became the Junior League of Pensacola. She remained a Junior League Sustainer and was awarded one of the Leagues highest awards, the Joan B. Gonzalez Award for extraordinary volunteer service. She also was active with the Debutante Charity Cotillion, First Presbyterian Church Day Care Center, Manna Food Bank and numerous other organizations. For many years she volunteered as a precinct poll worker during elections. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Gordon Martin, Jr. She is survived by her husband, James Mansfield Coe, four children: Ellen Adair (Henry) Wyche of Atlanta, James M. Coe, Jr., (Sally), Martin M. Coe, (Toni) and Angela Coe Sherrill, all of Pensacola; eight grandchildren: Bess, Hank and Gordon Wyche, Mansfield and Eleanor Coe, and Charlie, Amelia and Hugh Sherrill, and one great grandchild, Jackson Thomas Sherrill. She is also survived by her sister, Ann Martin Brodie (Scott), and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews from both the Martin and Coe families. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Creekside Village and Covenant Hospice for their love and care of our mom during her later years. A service in celebration of her life will be held on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Ellens memory can be made to the Harbison Lecture Series of First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, P.O. Box 1009, Pensacola FL 32595 or to a charity of one's choice. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.