Paris Ellixson Gravitt

Mrs. Paris Ellixson Gravitt, age 93, of Wilkerson Street, South Boston, Virginia died on Monday, January 20, 2014 at Halifax Regional Hospital. Mrs. Gravitt was born in Virgilina, Virginia on March 29, 1920. Mrs. Gravitt was preceded in death by her late husband, Clarence E. Gravitt. Survivors include longtime friends Grey and Diane Conner, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Doris C. Gravitt and Irene Gravitt. She is also survived by devoted family members, and companion and caregiver Lajanice J. Sizemore, as well as other caregivers Daisy Franklin and Anita Powell. Mrs. Gravitt was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius Spencer Ellixson and Nellie Kidd Ellixson, by her sisters Jane Rae Ellixson and Beth Ellixson Tuck and brothers: Joseph Kidd Ellixson, Woodrow Valentine Ellixson, Sr., Graham James Ellixson, Sr., Gerald Wade Ellixson, and Cornelius Leroy Ellixson. Mrs. Gravitt was a long-time member of the Main Street United Methodist Church and a former member of The Henry A. Harrell Sunday School Class. Paris enjoyed civic and community projects and was most active in The Tuesday Woman’s Club and at one point was recognized as the club’s oldest member. During her tenure, she either chaired or served on about every community project and served two two-year terms as president. She was chosen as the club’s most outstanding member and was awarded several plaques and certificates. As one of her latter accolades, she received recognition for her approximately 50 years of dedicated service from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. One of her greatest achievements with the Tuesday Woman’s Club was the establishment of the local dialysis clinic. After conferring with three physicians of the Danville Urologic Clinic, the idea was accepted to proceed at her own endeavors to establish a satellite dialysis unit. The idea was mandated for approval by the club, town council, and the county, district, state, and federal governments. After having met all previous federal government rules and regulations, including a resolution stating positive proof of the need for a satellite unit in South Boston and the surrounding area, permission was received to proceed with a three patient chair unit. A formal ribbon cutting ceremony took place on August 19, 1979 with local residents and three very excited urologists and nephrologists in attendance, which were Drs. Landes, Hall and Starlings. The South Boston Dialysis Facility soon outgrew its original home and has moved into a new and much larger unit with 19 patient chairs operating multiple days per week. Paris also devoted her time serving with the local South Boston and Halifax County Museum for eighteen years serving in almost every official capacity, the Volunteer Alzheimer’s Organization, Lake Country on Aging, Halifax County Cancer Association and nine years on the Virginia and North Carolina Power Advisory Board. Family and friends will gather at Brooks Funeral Home for viewing on Tuesday evening, January 21, 2014, from 7 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 2 P.M. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel followed by a burial in Halifax Memorial Gardens with Pastor Edward Rigg officiating. For those wishing to give memorials, please consider a charity of your choice.