As a seventh grader at Greenville Middle School, Mollie Waters didn’t look forward to English class each day.

In fact, she despised it.

“I thought it was the worst class,” she said.

In ninth grade, that all changed.

“I had Miss Rose Ellis, and on the first day of the class she made us write an essay introducing ourselves to her,” Waters said. “At the very end, I wrote, ‘You might as well be forewarned that I hate English.’ She wrote back, ‘Welcome aboard anyway. Glad to have you.’”

Waters went on to become an English teacher.

“To go from hating English to becoming an English teacher, there has to be a turnaround. Miss Rose was that turnaround for me.”

On Oct. 1, Ellis, a longtime teacher in the Butler County, passed away.

In her memory, former students are raising funds to make a donation to the Greenville High School library.

The funds will be given to GHS librarian Jennifer Shell, who has compiled a “wish list” of books and magazines she would like to purchase. Any money donated in memory of Ellis would be earmarked for that purpose.

The books purchased in memory of Ellis will be marked with a label indicating that they were placed in the library in her honor. If enough money is donated, the Ellis’ former students hope to create a “reading nook” in the library with a plaque recognizing Ellis.

The group hopes to raise $1,000.

“Miss Rose did so much to inspire so many people,” Waters said. “This is a chance for us to honor her.”

Donations can be mailed to Greenville High School and sent to the attention of GHS librarian Jennifer Shell. In the memo line, donors should note that the funds are intended for the GHS library in honor of Rose Ellis.

Greenville High School
100 Tiger Dr.
Greenville, AL 36037