Ella Amelia Horne “Ellie”

Ella Amelia Horne (“Ellie”), passed away peacefully in Dover, Delaware, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, after reaching her 90^th birthday in January.  Ellie was a longtime resident of Virginia Beach.  She was one of 13 children, born in Blairstown, New Jersey to the late Raymond Read and Florence Parr Read.  Ellie is survived by her sisters, Doris Walker and Linda Kohler; daughter, Diana Van Scoten-Singleton; her youngest son, Randy Van Scoten; her grandsons Jason Singleton, Lee Singleton, Jeremiah Van Scoten, Nicholas Van Scoten, Mathew Van Scoten, Jack Van Scoten, and Danny Van Scoten; granddaughters Susan J’aimes Horne, Kate Horne, Natalie Horne and Charlotte Horne; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews; as well as her stepson, David Horne.  Ellie was predeceased by the father of her children, William Van Scoten; her 9 brothers and a sister;  her oldest son, William (“Billy”) Van Scoten; and her husband, Melvin.

Ellie had an incredible work ethic and loved to work.  She was a very successful restaurateur and started her food service career at age 13 helping her grandfather (the legendary New Jersey auctioneer, Col. M.T.  Parr) serve lunch at his annual pig roast.  She first married at age 18 and helped support her family by working as a waitress, eventually taking over the helm as co-owner of the Tide’s Inn Restaurant in the Southern Shopping Center in Norfolk.  Ellie also co-owned and operated Jalee’s Restaurant (named after her beloved grandsons, Jason and Lee), in the Haygood area of Virginia Beach, for many years.  Ellie took great pride when her daughter, Diana, followed in her culinary footsteps and opened the original Bella Monte Marketplace & Restaurant at Hilltop East.  Ellie also took much joy in knowing that her grandson, Jack, is also following in her footsteps and plans to open his own restaurant.

Ellie loved living in Sandbridge with her late husband, Mel, and attributed her longevity to walking miles on the beach every day.  After she and Mel moved to the Virginia House at 38^th Street, Ellie walked to the 1^st Street jetty and back most every day!

Ellie was an avid gardener.  Her elevated vegetable garden in the sand flourished despite the storms in Sandbridge that flooded her yard.  Although a mere 5 foot tall and weighing less than 120 pounds,  Ellie herself, in her 60’s, often hauled sandbags and pilings to fortify her garden from the weather.

Ellie was also an incredible cook and expressed her love through her cooking.  Birthday dinners at Ellie’s were gastronomic delights, and her Christmas chocolates and peanut brittle were legendary.  Ellie’s granddaughters, Natalie and Charlotte, have been candymakers in training for 20 years under their grandmother’s tutelage, and Ellie was comforted in knowing that they will continue her special tradition.  It delighted Ellie that her son, Randy, shares her love of cooking as well as her love of homemade potato salad, macaroni salad and carrot cake (to name a few) using her old family recipes.

Ellie loved to dance and was a terrific dancer.  She was a longtime member of the Virginia Beach Shag Club and could be found dancing the jitterbug, the cha-cha, the two-step and the tango several nights a week.  She would not be found playing Bingo – at 90 years young, Ellie said that Bingo was “too calm” for her.

Ellie’s family and friends were her greatest passion.  She was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife and friend.  If you were lucky enough to be Ellie’s friend, you had a loyal friend for life.

Ellie was one of a kind.  She often explained her love for something that was special to her because it was “unique”.  Ellie, Nana, Mom – you were loving, kind, honest, and unique, and you will be dearly missed by all who knew you.

A memorial service for Ellie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Calvary Assembly of God, 4925 Providence Road, Virginia Beach, VA.  A reception for family and friends will immediately follow in the church fellowship hall.  Burial will be private.

Altmeyer Funeral Homes is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.altmeyer.com.

In the event that there are connectivity issues with the livestream during the service, a recording will be available after the service has concluded.