Obituary of Mary Stiles

AUBURNDALE - Mrs. Mary "Ellen" Stiles, age 74, a resident of Auburndale was welcomed into paradise to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ after a long battle with cirrhosis of the liver. Mrs. Stiles was born August 19, 1938 in Baltimore, MD to William and Thelda (Page) Baker. She and her two sisters were placed in a Catholic orphanage at the age of 4 but, were adopted by a pastor and his wife when she was 6. She then spent the next 16 years in Drexel, N.C. where she graduated high school and later graduated from Sarah Duke University School of Nursing. She was a homemaker, member of the Grace Fellowship Church in Auburndale, member of the Gideon's auxiliary, Ordained Minister, influenced 60 foster children and adopted 20. In 1979 Ellen married Jack Stiles and the two of them together went through the school of ministry at Christian Retreat in Bradenton, FL. After graduating they spent the next 4 years in state parks ministering the word of God. They then settled down in Naples, FL., where they began fostering & adopting needy children. In 1989 Ellen & Jack moved to Auburndale where they fostered about 60 children & adopted 20 of which 2 are still at home. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister. Ellen is survived by her loving family: husband of 34 years: Jack F. Stiles of Auburndale, son: Bill Amos of S.C., daughter: Kimberly Amos of N.C., 2 sisters, 19 adopted children. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Mrs. Stiles's name to: The Gideon's International, P.O. Box 2085, Auburndale, FL. 33823. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the Kersey Funeral Home. Visitation will be held before from 1:00 till 2:00 PM. Graveside service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, December 3, 2012 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.