Lynda Woods Ellis

Lynda Woods Ellis passed away at her home in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the age of 63 years.

Lynda was born on September 7, 1960, in Savannah, Georgia, to Curtis Lee Woods, Jr., and Marilyn Bristow Woods. She moved to Lake Charles in the 1960s, where she graduated from Barbe High School, Class of 1978.

Lynda was an entrepreneur and a businesswoman. She began her career working for the Lake Charles Housing Authority, and, from there, she moved to Houston, Texas, to continue her education and work in property management, where she had great success. Lynda then met the love of her life, Steve, and she returned with him to Lake Charles, where they married and began a family. She continued to build on her father’s legacy, acquiring homes and apartment buildings of her own, which led to her founding of Woodlands Property Management and Ellis Properties and participating as a co-owner of Regency Crest in Central Louisiana, to name just a few of her successful lifetime business ventures and partnerships.

To have met Lynda was to know her. She was unforgettable. She was quick to share her life’s stories and lessons; she was generous of spirit and gave freely her love, time, and affection to those whose paths crossed hers. She was a protective mother, daughter, and sister, and she was a fierce advocate for her friends and family alike. Lynda was truly the epicenter of so many people’s lives and her absence will be felt by all.

She loved the outdoors, fishing in Toledo Bend, deep sea fishing with her husband, and spending time at their condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama. She took great pride in her home restorations, especially the homes in the Historic District as well as her childhood home in Lake Charles. She loved creating stained and painted glass pieces for her garden, and her love for live music led her to travel the country.

Lynda is survived by her daughter, Elyse Ellis Conner (Ricky); her mother, Marilyn Bristow Woods; a brother, Curtis L. “Woody” Woods, III (Deborah), of Lake Charles, Louisiana; her sister, Staci Woods (Steve), of Seattle, Washington; and a stepson, Blaine Ellis (Sara), and their children, Tyler, Grady and Tillie, of Holmwood, and extended family in Savannah, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 34 years, Stephen Charles Ellis, and her father, Curtis Lee Woods, Jr., and a brother, Gregory A. Woods, of Lake Charles, LA.

A gathering of family and friends for a celebration of life will be held at Lynda’s residence on Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM with a memorial service to be held at 1:00 PM. Cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral home.