Ellen Virginia (Thomas) Spruell transitioned from this life on June 29, 2022, at the age of ninety-three.  Ellen was born to the late Margaret Ellen (Sims) Thomas and Allison Wilmer Thomas in Bryans Road, Maryland, on August 5, 1928.

Ellen received her elementary and secondary education in the Charles County public school system and graduated from Pomonkey High School. During her years of employment Ellen worked at a variety of jobs in Washington, D.C. and Charles County, Maryland. Most of her employment was with the Naval Propellant Plant in Indian Head, Maryland, from which she would retire after many years of faithful service.

There were many blessings in Ellen's life including the birth of her loving daughter, Velveeta; she also enjoyed a long and enduring marriage with Eugene Spruell, making their home in Pisgah, Maryland. Soon after meeting Spruell, her nephew Butch remembers her being captivated by Spruell and announcing to everyone, "This is the man I am going to marry."  In her final years of her life, she found other blessings in the care and attention from her niece Joy Thomas Sheff, long-time neighbor and friend Judith Welch, and son-in-law James Walden.

Dancing and music, particularly hearing her brother Earl's band, were some of the great pleasures Ellen enjoyed as a young woman.  She was the quintessential "free spirit" – uninhibited and living life on her own terms.  Ellen is remembered for saying "life is what you make it, be careful how you take it."

Ellen was predeceased in death by her husband Eugene Spruell, her daughter Velveeta Walden, brothers James, Allison, Earl, and baby sister Veryl-LaVern.  She is survived by grandsons Troy A. Johnson and Tracy E. Johnson, great-granddaughter Alexandria, son-in-law James Walden, sister Portia Miles, sister-in-law Mildred Thomas, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

Viewing, 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, Friday, July 15, 2022, in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A. Graveside Service and Interment, 2:00 p.m. at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, Virginia 22172.