Ellen Vanhorn

Phyllis “Ellen” VanHorn of Joppa passed away on May 22, 2018, she was 83 years old. Phyllis was born on April 28, 1935 in Richlands, VA to Asa and Dorothy Russ, where she spent her childhood. After marrying her first husband Robert Lee Laird, she traveled the world as a military wife which eventually brought her to Aberdeen, MD in 1960. After marrying her second husband William P. Van Horn, Sr., she moved to Joppa in 1970 and resided there for the remainder of her life.

Ellen is survived by 5 children, Pamela S. Birch of Edgewood, Patricia L. Miller (Tom Miller Sr.) of Hanover, Michael L. Laird (Donna Laird) of Edgewood, James W. VanHorn (Lisa VanHorn) of Joppa and William P. VanHorn Jr. (Mandi VanHorn) of Joppa. She is also survived by a sister, Gail Brock of Little Egg Harbor, NJ; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Robert Lee Laird, her second husband William P. VanHorn Sr., two brothers, Kenneth Russ and Carlos Russ and her beloved daughter Donna L. Davis.

Ellen was very active in both the Joppatowne and Edgewood Golden Age Clubs. She was also an active member of The Church at Riverside. She loved to travel and in recent years she had taken several cruises to various destinations. She enjoyed playing bingo and spending time with her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baltimore Cancer Support Group at baltimorecancersupportgroup.org.