Ellen Williams Gifford, 76, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, in Rogers.  She was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, on November 7, 1945, to Howard and Amelia Williams.

A college graduate of Alfred State Technical College in New York, Ellen spent the last 28 years working at the Wal-Mart corporate offices in Bentonville, Arkansas, in the People Services Department (Benefits).  Prior to that, she was a Preschool Teacher and Mother's Day Out Director in Plano, Texas.  Earlier in her career, she worked at Cargill and at the Pentagon while her husband Fred served in the US Army.

Fred and Ellen called Bella Vista, Arkansas, home since 1995, after raising their two boys Jed and Josh primarily in Plano.

She was a true matriarch and the "spark" of the family!  Ellen was very much a caretaker and loved always being active and busy!

Ellen was also a longtime volunteer at the Walmart AMP in Rogers and The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.  She also taught Sunday School and VBS at United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista where she was a member for nearly 30 years.

Her thoughtfulness regarding birthday, anniversary and holiday cards never went unnoticed, and her Christmas cookies and other goodies were legendary.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Frederick M. Gifford; her sons, Jed Gifford (Cherie) and Josh Gifford (Jo) and her grandchildren Avery, Julie and Jacob.  Additional extended family include her older sister, Janet Garnjost of Bluffton, South Carolina, and two nieces, Alison Garnjost of Savannah, Georgia, and Valerie Garnjost (Matt Lacy) of Bluffton, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas, Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas, or The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.