It is with profound sadness that we must announce the passing of Dorothy Michele Ellis-Thomas on Sunday May 10, 2020, after a protracted fight with cancer, while surrounded by her children and husband.

Michele was born on June 22, 1949 in Longview Texas, the second daughter, to Josiah Dixon Ellis, Jr. and Elizabeth Josephyn (Wingo) Ellis.  Raised in the Spring Branch area of Houston, she graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1967 and attended Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, before finishing her Fine Arts degree at Sam Houston State University.  She then embarked on a career in teaching in oil and acrylic canvas painting, her first and last love. Never one to rest, she obtained a master's degree in Creative Arts in Therapy from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA, in 1985 and subsequently, a master's degree in Forensic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009.  Among her many life's accomplishments are multiple public displays of her artwork, the creation of the first accredited undergraduate Art Therapy program in West Virginia at West Liberty University and being instrumental in introducing a similar Art Therapy curriculum to The University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

Michele is survived by her two sisters: Lisa Hagel and Tina Berry, her sons: Blitz Carthey, Joshua Alexander; her daughter, Elyse Martin and her husband John Thomas, as well as five grandchildren.  In addition to her family, she will be mourned by many close friends, colleagues, students, and innumerable people whose lives she has impacted through her many gifts.

Ever the lover of animals, she has requested donations be made to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter in lieu of flowers.

A memorial service will be held at the Allan Fuller Funeral Home in Wills Point, TX on Saturday, May 1 at 1 p.m. in the afternoon.