Ella Vee Holbrook, age 83, of Castalia, Ohio, was called to her heavenly home by our Lord Jesus Ella passed away at her residence on Sunday, May 24, 2026, with her daughter, Paula, and son-in-law, Charles Bailey, by her side. She was born in Salyersville, Kentucky, on July 2, 1942, and was the daughter of the late Charlie and Mattie (Back) Rowe.
A devoted Christian and member of Wayside Temple Church in Castalia, Ohio, Ella was known as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to all. She was a gifted storyteller who never met a stranger. Her personal passions included gardening and preserving food, thrift store and garage sale shopping, visiting family and friends, and caring for her beloved dog, “Baby,” as well as her cats and ponies.
On July 1, 1961, Ella married the love of her life, W.C. Holbrook, in Norwalk, Ohio. They shared more than 54 years of marriage before he preceded her in death in 2015.
Ella is survived by her children: Clive (Lori) Holbrook of Bellevue and their son, Connor Holbrook; Paula (Charles) Bailey of Salyersville, Kentucky, and their daughter, Brittany (Robert) Cantrell, along with their daughters, Briella and Kaylee Cantrell, of Salyersville, Kentucky, and son Jacob (Ivanna) Chiow, along with their children, Laiden and Lillian, of Lexington, Kentucky; and Chris (Michele) Holbrook of New London, Ohio, and their sons, Joshua, John, and Joseph Holbrook.
She is also survived by her sister, Wanda Mullins of Cape Coral, Florida, and her brother, Hanson (Michael) Rowe of Salyersville, Kentucky.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jordan Ann Holbrook, and her siblings: J.C. Rowe, Martha Ellen Moore, Reita Hoenigman, Rollie B. Rowe, Charles D. Rowe, and Harlan K. Rowe, as well as six siblings who died in infancy.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, from 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue. Funeral services will commence at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Wayside Temple, 3809 Maple Ave., Castalia, OH 44824, with burial to follow at Sandhill Cemetery.
