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University of Iowa University of Mississippi

Ellen Douglas Obituary

Douglas, Ellen Dies at 91 - Author of Twelve Books, Winner of Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship, Twice Listed Among the Top Five Fiction Writers of the Year by the New York Times. Ellen Douglas, acclaimed author of fiction and nonfiction, died, November 7, 2012, after a long illness, in her home in Jackson, Mississippi, where she has lived since the 1980s. She was born, Josephine Ayres in Natchez, Mississippi, in 1921, and grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, before attending Ole Miss, where she met her husband, the late Kenneth Haxton. After he finished serving in the Navy in World War II, they settled in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi, where they raised their three sons, Richard, Ayres, and Brooks, in a house full of books, music, and passionate devotion to the arts. In the early 1960s when her first novel, A Family's Affairs, was awarded the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship and her first novella appeared in The New Yorker Magazine, she began to use the pen name Ellen Douglas. Her first two books were listed among the five best works of fiction for the year by the New York Times Book Review, and her third book was a finalist for the National Book Award. In six novels, a book of short fiction, and four books of nonfiction, she was an unusually candid and perceptive observer of the kinds of characters and social relationships formed, for better or worse, in a world inflected by Southern traditions of gender and race. The art of the fiction and nonfiction, in her hands, was the art of telling a good story, and the best stories she could tell involved the most pressing and difficult problems in the world where she spent her life, in places like Natchez and Greenville. Critics were virtually unanimous in their high praise of her accomplishment, and, among many honors, she was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Fellowship of Southern Writers and the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters. She taught in the writing programs at Ole Miss, the University of Iowa, and elsewhere. In her private life, she was a loving mother, wife, and friend, who enjoyed good company and good food, and who appreciated the accomplishments of people in every human pursuit. She also liked to fish for bream, swim, and pick chanterelles. She is survived by two siblings, Richardson Ayres and Archer Postlethwaite, her three sons, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Nov. 10, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Ellen Douglas

18 Entries

Mary Helen LOOPER

September 1, 2013

I have wonderful memories of Josephine There had been a storm that knocked out the electricity so we entertained ourselves with ghost stories. Later Josephine scared the bejesus out of me when she came walking through the dark in a long white nightgown carrying a candle and her hair so long it almost reached the floor. Fond memories of Kenneth, Josephine, Wetherbee, Little Theater, Greenville

November 21, 2012

Geez Louise, I am seardching just now to write my mother's obituary in our home town newspaper and some force of the universe made me happen here. Thank you, it gave me strength and I wish that I had known you.

November 16, 2012

may the blessing of GOD be with the Douglas family.Please accept my sincere sympathy......gd.

D E

November 14, 2012

Condolences to family and friends during this difficult time.
Psalm 9:9

pc rodriguez

November 11, 2012

We are sorry for you loss.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for according to his great mercy he gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3

Marie M

November 11, 2012

May the God of comfort give you the strength needed to endure during this difficult time.

The Brunson Family

November 10, 2012

Our Deepest Condolences to the Family and Friends. May God be with YOU to bring YOU Comfort and Peace through this Difficult Time.

Ashley

November 10, 2012

My sympathies to the Douglas family and friends. I am very sorry for your loss. God will provide with comfort during your time of sorrow for he gives hope with all joy and peace that you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

November 10, 2012

You have my deepest sympathy, may you draw close to God as he draws close to you at this difficult time.

sterling w

November 10, 2012

sorry for the lost, but here in gods word the bible at 2tim 3:16,17 that the answer to our our problems is god word the bible, what a true source of comfort...

November 10, 2012

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness comfort your hearts and make you firm in every good deed and word.

Margaret

November 9, 2012

Condolences to the friends and family of Mrs. Ellen Douglas, may you all throw your burden on our Heavenly Father and He will sustain you all at this difficult time.

Lora Givens

November 8, 2012

Praying for you and your family. I was really inspired by your novels and poetry.

JHJ

November 8, 2012

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Ivy

November 8, 2012

Peace Be With You, Sweet Soul.

November 8, 2012

Sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the Hearer of prayer at this time. Psalm 65:2

November 8, 2012