MARY ELLEN TODD

September 11, 2019

 Mrs. Mary Ellen Todd, 92, of Beth Haven Nursing Home in Hannibal, Mo., formerly of Canton, Mo., died September 2, 2019 in the Nursing Home in Hannibal.

 She was born May 17, 1927 in Lebanon, Mo., the daughter of Rev. (Dr.) Roy and Lilah (McKinnon) Blalock.

  She was united in marriage to Champ B. Todd on October 29, 1950. To this union three children were born; Mary Lynn (Jack) Lighfoot of Kansas City, Mo., Dr. Clark (Lana) Todd of Hannibal, Mo., and Craig (Sandy) Todd of LaGrange, Mo. Mary Ellen was a 1944 graduate of Canton High School and a 1948 graduate of Culver-Stockton College. She was a committed and determined music educator for more than seven decades. She taught in the public schools of Wyaconda, Granger, Revere, and Gorin, Mo., Plymouth, Ill., Bedford, Iowa as well as Canton R-V, Lewis County C-1, and proudly retired on two occasions from the Quincy, Ill., Public Schools.

   Mary Ellen was a proud and supportive alumna of Culver-Stockton College and through the years was inducted into the Education Hall of Fame, the Fine Arts Hall of Fame and was named Outstanding Alumna in 2002. Her commitment to music was demonstrated through her 60 plus years of performance in the Culver-Stockton Band and the Canton Christian Church Choir. In retirement, Mary Ellen was an active member of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra.

    A devoted and supportive parent and spouse, Mary Ellen’s social interests included being an avid bridge player, nurturing her love of flowers, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, 70 year member of the PEO Sisterhood, the Missouri Music Educators Association, the Lewis County Historical Society, AAUW and the Canton Christian Church.

    Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother, Dr. R. W. Blalock. She is survived by her children, grandchildren Alexander (Leticia) Todd and Julian Todd both of Hannibal, Mo., Dr. Misty (Dr. Matt Roehrs) Todd of Columbia, Mo., and numerous nieces and nephews.

  Funeral services were held September 7, 2019 at the Canton Christian Church with Pastor Amanda Gosik and Dr. Andy Walsh officiating. Pallbearers: Steve Schellenberger, S. Kent Miller, Dr. Joe Dieker, Dr. Tom Polett, Greg Gilpin, Dr. Bruce Still. Honorary Pallbearers: Dennis Smith, Orville Tobin, Sue Jeffcoat, Becky White, Carol Bezler, Bill Berry, Gary Dunn. Music: Organist, Roger Begley Cellist, Dr. Brian Kubin, “Sarabande from Suite No.3 for Unaccompanied Cello" by J.S. Bach. 

Congregational Hymns: When In Our Music God Is Glorified and A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
Burial was in Forest Grove Cemetery.

  The family suggests memorials be made to the Culver-Stockton College Music Department or the Quincy, Illinois Symphony Orchestra.

  Online condolences may be made at www.davis-fh.com