Mary Ellen Self

Mrs. Mary Ellen Davis Self of Natchitoches passed away December 13, 2007 in Rapides Medical Center in Alexandria after a brief illness The wake is scheduled for Tuesday 12-18-2007 5-9 P.M. at Blanchard St Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches. Memorial Service Wednesday 12-19-2007 at 11 A.M. In First United Methodist Church on 2nd Street in Natchitoches with Reverend Avery and Reverend Doug Cain officiating. Mary Ellen Retired spring 2007 from The Louisiana School For Math Science and The Arts, She taught Speech and Debate and Online Spanish with Louisiana Virtual School. She also taught speech for Bossier Parish Community College on NSU Campus. She was Coach of LSMSA Speech Team and participated in local, state, and national tournaments as Coach and Judge. Mary Ellen Graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City in 1972 and was a Member of The Dramatists Guild of America. She lived and worked in New York City 1971-1983 Performing in Off Broadway Showcases Singing and Acting. She performed in New Orleans' Repertory Theater Company directed by June Havoc. Mary Ellen practiced all aspects of theater from acting and singing to directing and choreography . She has Directed Community Theater Productions, outdoor historical drama and 12 Years of Summer Children's Theater Camps in Rapides Parish, Avoyelles Parish and in Natchitoches. Her lifelong passion for Theater and The Arts have inspired many of her students. At NSU Mary Ellen completed her BA in Speech with Spanish and History minor in 1983 and Earned Louisiana Teacher Certification Speech/Spanish and Master of Fine Arts/Theater in May 1986. She Taught at LSMSA 1991-1995, Established the Speech and Debate Club, coached and judged state and local debate competions, and taught Survey of The Arts, and Speech and Continuing Education at NSU. She taught the Advance Program Speech at NSU 1995-1997. She taught Spanish at Dry Prong in Grant Parish 4 Years and sponsored a Travel Club for students and their families, taking them on many trips abroad touring Continental Europe and Australia , New Zealand, and Hawaii to share her love of Art and History . Mary Ellen contributed to her community, as Secretary of St Denis Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, Lesche Club member, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International member, Maude Barr Circle Group member, and Natchitoches Arts Council member. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by parents Glenn Larsen and Marian Palmer Davis of Alexandria Mary Ellen is survived by her husband Dale Self of Natchitoches; son, Tyler Ray Franklin of New York City; stepson, Jonathon Rhys Self of Shreveport; sister Nancy Davis Rials and her husband Gary of Lecompte; brother Randall Glenn Davis of Alexandria; sister-in-law, Paula Davis of Cheneyville; niece Catherine Davis of Cheneyville and a host of lifelong dear friends and associates. Mary Ellen touched the lives so many people and we will rejoice when we join her in the presence of our Merciful Lord. In lieu of flowers a fund for planting a memorial tree is available or donate to charity organizations such as American Cancer Society, Natchitoches Geneological Society, or Natchitoches Boys and Girls Club.