Ella Mae Whittaker, 97, of Lancaster, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville. Born on March 3, 1928, in Paint Lick, Kentucky, she was a daughter of the late William & Maggie Hatfield Ballard. Ella was a former employee at Cowden's Manufacturing, and was a member of Beech Grove Baptist Church. She took great joy in raising her family, and enjoyed sewing and reading. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William Arthur Whittaker, and her sisters, Martha Walton, and Christine Palmer.

Survivors include her daughter, Connie (David) Short, of Lancaster; brothers, Howard (Deanna) Ballard, of Lancaster, Lloyd (Shelley) Ballard, of Florida; sister, Katie (Wayne) Terry, of Stanford; two sisters-in-law, Minnie Lawson, of Lancaster, Betty Gail Whittaker, of Casey County; grandchildren, Laura (Chris) Williams; great-grandchildren, Noah (Kaleigh) Scofield, Sarah Scofield, Hannah Scofield, and Dylan Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Ramsey-Young Funeral Home, with Bro. Andy Dixon officiating and burial following at Lancaster Cemetery. Pallbearers include Noah Scofield, Chris Williams, Jackson East, Tyler Woods, Jerry Walton, and Johnny Short. Honorary pallbearers include Dylan Williams, and all of her nieces & nephews. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until service time on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the funeral home. Friends & family may share memories or leave condolences on her tribute wall at : www.ramsey-young.com. Ramsey-Young Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.