Teresa Kay Ellington - a devoted wife, loving mother, dear sister, and an unstoppable force - passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the age of 67. Born on December 22, 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Charles and Milarie Chadwell, Teresa carried a deep love for her family & community throughout her life.

On April 24, 1982, she married the love of her life, Donald Ellington, and together they built a home filled with laughter, love, and an open-door spirit for their three daughters and countless pets. She was the heartbeat of the home. As a document specialist in Petroleum Abstracts at the University of Tulsa, Teresa's passion for knowledge and organization touched many lives until she retired in 2017.

Teresa's faith was the foundation of her life. A dedicated member of Life Church Midtown, she found the glory in worship, fellowship, and service. She lived her beliefs daily - through kindness, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Her time spent volunteering at John 3:16 Mission was an extension of that faith, as she sought to uplift those in need with both action and compassion.

Her greatest passion was most certainly running. Teresa was a runner in every sense of the word - not just in races, but in life. She completed 37 marathons, numerous half-marathons and 10Ks, and hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim. She placed thousands and thousands of footsteps on this Earth. She was a woman in constant motion, always chasing the next challenge, always proving that determination and grit could take you anywhere; that age - and pace time - was nothing but a number. Whether pounding the pavement in her own neighborhood or conquering trails across the globe, she embodied endurance, resilience, and pure joy in the journey & being one with God's creation.

When she wasn't running, Teresa found peace birdwatching in her garden, calmness with a cup of coffee on the porch, excitement in her travels - especially if there was a beach involved - and love in the company of her dear family & her beloved cat, Bear. It is in those moments where her love could truly be felt.

She is preceded in death by her parents and is lovingly remembered by her husband of 42 years, Donald; her daughters, Kayla Ellington, Karol Ellington (partner Levi Gerber), and Kathy Fusco (spouse Sam Fusco); and her brother, Rusty Chadwell.

In honor of Teresa's love for kitties, (and to the chagrin of the local florists) donations may be made to StreetCats Inc. (streetcatstulsa.org).
Celebration of Life Service: 6:00 PM Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Life. Church Midtown Tulsa, 7015 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74145.