Ellen Withers McGinnis

Ellen Withers McGinnis, 72, passed from the darkness of death into the glorious light on Tuesday the 2nd of December, 2025. Her transition took place at the Levine-Dickson Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, NC. Ellen was born in Gastonia on June 12th, 1953 to parents Edsel L. and Virginia Dare Lay Withers. She grew up in Dallas, attended old Dallas High School and was part of the 1st graduating class of North Gaston High. She received a degree in Interior Design from American Business & Fashion Institute, and Ellen was a principal in several Dallas businesses during her life. Her passions in life, beyond her family, were all fields of Design, shopping for and collecting antiques, and cooking.

The death certificate will not show it, but Ellen actually died from a broken heart. When she buried her son, Anthony, ten years ago, it placed a gaping hole in her heart; thankfully, her granddaughter, Berklee, over the years was able to weave a patch which covered much of that hole. However, two years ago, with the death of her eldest sister, Martha, there was a new fracture put in her heart; and then last year her damaged heart was completely shattered with the death of her twin sister, Helen. There was nobody on this earth that could repair such damage, only God could mend her broken heart; and now he has.

In addition to her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by her son, Anthony Brande McGinnis; sisters, Martha Perry Withers and Helen Iola Withers, and brother, Gerald Douglas Withers. Ellen is survived by her husband of 52 years, David Anthony "Tony" McGinnis, Dallas; her granddaughter, Berklee Clay McGinnis, and her daughter-in-law, Whitney McGinnis Gruidl (Mat) of Fort Mill, SC; brothers, John Withers (Jeanette, Morrisville, NC; Lewis Withers (Cindy), Charlotte, NC; Joe Withers (Cecille), Dallas; and Tommy Withers (LeAnne), Dallas. She is also survived by her sisters; Teresa Porter (Alex), Concord, NC; Rachel Withers (Dean McElveen), Gastonia, NC; Catherine Jamieson (Gene), Simpsonville, SC; sister Chris, and a sister-in-law Mary H. Withers, Belmont. She also leaves behind sixteen beloved nieces and nephews, and over a dozen grandnieces and grandnephews from the Withers family. She was also loved by her McGinnis in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the additional loving and professional care that Ellen received from the staffs of Always Family Senior Care of Dallas, and Wendover Hospice House of Shelby. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 6th, from 1pm until 2pm at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home, with a memorial service for Ellen being held at 2pm there in the funeral home chapel, with Deacon Bill Melton officiating, and a service of Christian burial being held immediately afterwards at the Philadelphia Lutheran Church Cemetery in Dallas.

 In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in memory of Ellen be made to Dallas-High Shoals Christian Ministry, 305 East Trade St., Dallas, NC 28034, or The Salvation Army, 1506 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.

The family would also like to thank a dear friend, Kay Withers, and the entire staff of Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home for assisting the family with the final arrangements for Ellen.

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com