The Southeastern community is marking a somber start to the spring semester with the death of Ellen Hendrix.
Hendrix was an information technology specialist at the university, focusing primarily on the Blackboard online portal utilized by most students and faculty. Hendrix was the sole person in charge of Blackboard.
She died Jan. 23 at the age of 63. Funeral services were held on Jan. 27 at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant and she was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Southeastern Director of University Communications Alan Burton released the following statement:
“The campus community is deeply saddened by the passing of Ellen Hendrix. She was a valued and dedicated staff member and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hendrix family at this time.”
She graduated from SE with a master’s degree in education and taught at Durant Intermediate School for 15 years prior to joining the SE staff in 2000.
Hendrix is survived by her husband, Kennie Hendrix, parents Harold and Louise Kennedy of Calera, two children and four grandchildren.
In all she gave 31 years – approximately half of her life – to the teaching profession. The lifelong Durant resident told The Southeastern just six months ago: “Teaching is in my blood.”